Recount for Legislative Seat Deprives GOP of Control Over Michigan’s Government
A recount in a state House district has overturned the victory of a Republican, denying the GOP the control of state government it thought it had won, a television station reported.
Unofficial vote totals Tuesday showed Republican John Chmura winning the 29th District by a margin oif 54 votes, 22,402 to 22,348. His victory would have given the GOP a 56-54 edge in the House.
But two recounts Thursday showed the Democrat, Dennis Olshove, picked up 60 votes, giving him the seat by six votes, WXYZ-TV in Detroit reported. It said a third recount was proposed.
Republicans already control the governorship and the state Senate, so victory in the House race would have given them wide-ranging power over the state government.
Before Tuesday, the Democrats had a 59-50 edge with one vacancy.
The state constitution provides no method for breaking a tie in the 110-seat House, but one party could try to sway a lawmaker from the other to join its side, or lawmakers could choose two co-speakers.
Recounts are likely in several other races.
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