Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli advised Republican Keith Fimian not to seek a recount in his 11th Congressional District race against Rep. Gerry Connolly, according to an email sent by Fimian’s campaign to supporters.
Cuccinelli reminded Fimian that a recount in Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell’s attorney general race in 2005 netted just 37 votes, according to the e-mail. Fimian conceded the election Wednesday after unofficial tallies showed him trailing Connolly by 981 votes. Fimian said he was convinced that there was little chance that a recount would substantially alter the outcome.
“This was a very close election, but even a difference of fewer than 1,000 votes is simply too great to overcome in a recount under Virginia law,” Fimian said in the e-mail. “That said, if the State Board of Elections certifies a closer result on Nov. 22, then I will revisit my decision.”
