Recount sought in county race

Denise Cofer, the Republican candidate for Flathead County Commissioner, on Friday requested a recount of her 131-vote loss to Democrat Joe Brenneman.

That slim margin fell within a statutory provision that allows for a recount, provided that the challenging candidate covers the costs of the recount.

In the election results officially canvassed by Flathead County officials Monday and Tuesday, Cofer received 18,536 votes while Brenneman got 18,667 votes in the Nov. 2 election.

Diane Murer, supervisor of the county's election department, said Cofer submitted a letter requesting the recount Friday morning.

Flathead County Clerk and Recorder Paula Robinson calculated that the recount will cost $1,930.47.

The Flathead County Republican Central Committee has provided a check to the county for that amount.

The recount will start at 7 a.m. on Wednesday.

Recounting more than 38,000 ballots will involve eight county employees and will probably take about 10 hours, Murer said.

"The counter will be reading the complete ballot again, but we are only reporting on this office," Murer said.

If the recount shows that Cofer won the election, the check will be returned to the Republican Party and the county will cover the costs, Robinson said.

Cofer could not be reached for comment on the recount Friday. She has not returned phone calls from reporters since the election.

Robinson said she expects that Cofer and Brenneman, or their campaign representatives, will be present for the recount, along with media.

State law allows a candidate to request a recount - and cover the costs if necessary - when the vote difference is between one-fourth of one percent and one-half of one percent of the total votes cast in a particular race.

The 131-vote margin in this race fell within that range.

Cofer had five days after the election results were canvassed to request the recount.

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by e-mail at jmann@dailyinterlake.com