Louisville Businessman Matt Bevin continues to be the GOP candidate for governor after a recanvass kept him 83 votes ahead of former Agricultural Comissioner James Comer.
"We believe the state Board of Election will be certifying on June 8 the vote totals,” Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes said in a press conference. “And it will be Matt Bevin who will be the nominee of the Republican Party,".
Comer, who is currently in Florida with his family, has two options- file a suit for a full recount of the 214,000 ballots cast or file an election contest if he suspect irregularities in the election. A statement released by Edwin King, Comer’s campaign manager, said Comer will issue a statement tomorrow afternoon about the next steps he will take in this race. A recount could cost Comer around $300,000.
Comer has until Friday to make a decision, and with the statewide GOP’s “unity rally” Lincoln Dinner in Lexington this Saturday, a decision for a recount may cast doubt on the festivities.
Bevin also formally claimed victory following the recanvass.
"It is an honor to be the Republican nominee for governor," according to a statement he issued. "I have tremendous respect for Commissioner Comer and am glad that we went through the recanvass process so that the integrity of our election was validated."
The recanvass also confirmed State Representative Ryan Quarles’ victory over Richard Heath for the Republican agriculture commissioner nomination.
Photo Courtesy of WUKY
