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(AP) – The Democratic challenger in a northern Kentucky state Senate race has asked elections officials to take another look at results from Tuesday's vote.
Kathy Groob narrowly lost to incumbent Republican Jack Westwood in the 23rd district. Unofficial results show Westwood with 21,057 votes or 51 percent compared to 20,250 votes or 49 percent for Groob.
An initial recount on Wednesday added 447 votes to Westwood's total and 343 to Groob's total. Election officials have scheduled a second review of the results for 1 p.m. EST on Thursday.
"We need to make sure every vote was counted in this race," Groob said. "I'm not confident that's the case. This is not a sore-loser situation. I'm just very concerned we've not had this election run properly."
Groob mounted a strong challenge against Westwood for the seat that represents Kenton County, spending more than $300,000. Westwood, best known in Frankfort for his opposition to abortion, spent more than $250,000 on the race. Political groups from outside Kenton County also put up big bucks in the race by paying for their own political ads in the Cincinnati media market, of which Kenton County is a part.
Westwood said he is "very satisfied" that votes have been accurately counted.
"I'm completely confident that I've won this race," he said. "I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and get back to Frankfort and get to work."
Westwood unsuccessfully pushed legislation earlier this year to require physicians to perform ultrasounds on pregnant women seeking abortions and to allow the women to see the images. The measure passed the Senate but died in the House.
Groob identifies herself as a conservative Democrat and said she also opposes abortion.
Groob said she hasn't ruled out challenging the election's outcome after the recanvassing on Thursday.
"If we feel there is a dispute, the only way to resolve it is to contest the election," she said.
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