Haley declared winner in Kansas race

One week after the election, Sen. David Haley was declared the winner Tuesday in the Democratic primary for Kansas secretary of state.

After the last provisional ballots were counted, the Kansas City, Kan., state senator’s margin of victory was a slim 226 votes over Wichita Democrat Robert Beattie. That compared with a 317-vote margin a week ago.

More than 4,000 provisional or challenged ballots had to be counted statewide before a winner could be declared.

When that process was finished Tuesday afternoon, Haley had 35,728 votes and Beattie 35,502. Haley had won by 0.003 percent.

Beattie did not ask for a re-count by Tuesday’s 5 p.m. deadline. Haley will face Republican incumbent Ron Thornburgh in the November general election.

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/15233798.htm

That's a little bit of a surprise. Congratulations to Haley and Beattie for such a close contest. It speaks well of both men.

It was close enough.

At least, that is what I understand. Beattie would have had to post a surety bond in order to obtain a recount. Besides, this is the better move in favor of statewide party unity

and I know it is unfair to expect Beattie to come up with the money.

But it sure would have been a great way to challenge the damn machines.