Democratic incumbent Rep. Gerry Connolly is gradually growing his lead as ballots continue to be counted in Northern Virgina’s 11th Congressional District, and the campaign of his Republican challenger, Keith Fimian, is soliciting donations to pay for a legal team that would monitor the process on his behalf.
“The post-election process is first and foremost a legal process which aims to ensure that all ballots lawfully cast in the election are counted, and that the resulting votes are tabulated accurately,” Tim Edson, Fimian’s campaign manager, said in a fundraising letter. “This process has required us to hire an experienced election lawyer and continue paying staff to engage a strike force of several dozen volunteers who are vigilantly monitoring the process for us.”
Connolly’s lead now sits at just over 900 votes, according to the most recent unofficial results from the State Board of Elections.
Edson has said that the campaign is focused on the canvassing process, but the margin between the two right now is still less than the 1 percent threshold that would enable a recount.
The State Board of Elections will meet to certify the Nov. 2 elections on Nov. 22. Fimian would not be able to request a recount until after the votes are certified.
