Benishek officially declared winner

Posted: 08.13.2010 at 12:26 PM

The state made their election results official this morning declaring Dan Benishek the winner

LANSING -- One of the closest elections in Michigan history now has a winner.

Friday morning the Michigan Board of Elections officially declared Dan Benishek the winner of the 1^st Congressional District’s Republican Primary by 15 votes over Jason Allen.

Benishek received 27,077 votes and Allen received 27,062. On election night, the Board of Elections reported a one vote difference between the candidates.

After the county canvassing was completed by all 31 counties in the 1^st District earlier this week, Benishek’s lead grew to15 votes. The state certified those results this morning.

Benishek will now face Democrat Gary McDowell in the general election in November.

Allen has 48 hours to request a recount from the state.