Koh Files for Recount in 3rd District Dem Primary

Dan Koh's campaign filed for a recount Friday in Massachusetts' 3rd Congressional District Democratic primary race.

With 100 percent of precincts results reported by Wednesday morning, Democrats Lori Trahan and Koh each held 22 percent of the votes, with Trahan leading by a slim, 52-vote margin.

"As we have said since Tuesday, Dan is committed to making sure all ballots are counted," his campaign said in a statement. "The closeness of the initial results - 52 votes out of 85,000 cast - and significant changes in vote counts in some communities over the last couple of days have made it clear that a recount is necessary."

A Trahan spokesman said her campaign was also collecting signatures for a possible recount.

Despite the tight numbers, an automatic recount was not issued since the results had a difference of less than 0.5 percent. Candidates can petition for a district-wide recount if they have 500 signatures by registered Democrats. They had until 5 p.m. Friday to do so, and the campaign gathered 1,300 signatures.

The recount would be conducted by hand in public with a welcome to spectators.

"Now that 100 percent of the votes have been counted, I am confident that I am your Democratic nominee," Trahan said Wednesday, speaking at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

She thanked voters and said the race proved what they knew all along, "that every vote truly counts".

John Cluverius, a former political consultant and current assistant professor of political science at UMass Lowell, said recounts usually end up going in favor of the candidate who is already ahead.

"I think the Koh campaign is right to say the Trahan campaign is being a little presumptuous," Cluverius said earlier this week. "I would be extremely surprised if we do not see a recount on his behalf. Fifty-some votes is too narrow a margin to give up a Congressional seat."

The close results were surprising to constituents.

"It's a little nerve-wracking," said voter Leah Shanley of Lowell. "You're never really quite sure. I like it close, but I kind of like whoever I vote for to actually win by a landslide, and that's not happening ... Every vote counts. You can see with the election how important it is that everyone vote."

Some in the district regret not going to the polls.

"I was busy," said Andrea Cyr of Chelmsford. "I didn't have a chance to. I wish I did, it is important to vote."

"I do have regrets because I always do vote," said Steven Sikalis of Acton. "This is the first one I've missed."

Koh is the former chief staff for of Mayor Marty Walsh and Trahan is the former chief of staff for former Congressman Marty Meehan. Both candidates were a part of a dozen individuals who ran to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Nikki Tsongas, who announced she wasn't seeking re-election last year.

The winner of the Democratic primary will move on to the general election in November to face Republican Rick Green and Independent Mike Mullen.