With all precincts reporting, incumbent freshman Democrat Gerry Connolly now leads Republican challenger Keith Fimian by about 800 votes out of more than 220,000 votes cast for the two candidates, according to unofficial results from the Virginia State Board of Elections.
Provisional ballots still must be counted in Northern Virgina’s 11th District and a post-election canvass must be conducted, but Connolly sounded confident Tuesday night, delivering what amounted to a victory speech to supporters.
Fimian has not conceded the race and his campaign released a statement Tuesday saying that the race is too close to call.
“There are still votes that have not been counted, and we have seen from experience with close elections in Virginia in 2005, 2006 and 2008 that candidates’ vote totals can change by hundreds or even thousands of votes in the post-election canvass process,” said Fimian campaign manager Tim Edson. “In an election this close, it is important to take the time to get the result right by seeing the counting and canvassing process through. When that process is complete, Keith Fimian is confident that he will be declared the winner.”
The state Board of Elections will certify the election results on Nov. 22. If the margin between Connolly and Fimian is 1 percent or less of the total vote, Fimian would have until Dec. 2 to request a recount.
