State officials said the numbers have not changed that give Rep. Scott DesJarlais a 35-vote victory over state Senator Jim Tracy in the House District 4 race.
Senator Tracy said Friday he is hoping that some "provisional" ballots will still be allowed and tilt the election his way.
He issued this statement:
"Thank you again for all of your patience as we move through this process. I have attached a summary of Tennessee code sections dealing with absentee and provisional ballot casting and counting for easy reference to the process in place.
"I am thankful to all of the hundreds of volunteers who knocked on doors and made phone calls and talked to their neighbors on my behalf. We've had a great grassroots effort and I am proud of the campaign we have run. There are still ballots left to be counted in the Fourth District Republican primary as we go through the certification process."
The incumbent claimed victory early Friday morning after Senator Tracy told supporters he had won on Thursday night.
Rep. DesJarlais said, "Despite my opponent spending more than a million dollars on desperate, negative attacks, Tennesseans chose to judge me on my record in Washington. I want to thank my constituents for voting to elect me to another term in Congress. I look forward to continuing my independent, conservative approach to stopping President Obama's radical agenda."
On Friday afternoon, Rep. DesJarlais said, “I am truly honored that the folks of the Fourth Congressional District put their faith in my ability to continue to serve them effectively in Washington. My campaign made it clear from the beginning we would run on my independent, conservative record and that is precisely what we did. While my opponent engaged in desperate and disgusting personal attacks, at the end of the day voters cared more about the job I have done in Congress. I want to thank Steve Lane and John Anderson for their endorsement and I look forward to focusing on the general election in November.”
The lead was 34,469 to 33,977 for Senator Tracy late Thursday, and he declared victory before 9 a.m., telling supporters with a fist pump, "We did it." But the final count was 34,787 to 34,752. The incumbent was boosted by late returns from Grundy County.
Senator Tracy won big in Bradley County, gaining 4,685 to 2,396 for Rep. DesJarlais.It was a Tracy victory in Rhea County by 2,191 to 1,721.
Other Republicans were John Anderson 4,590, Steve Lane 1,483, David R. Tate 937, Michael S. Warden 659 and Oluyomi Faparusi 284.
Monteagle Certified Public Accountant Lenda Sherrell, the Democratic nominee in District 4, said she is kicking off a listening tour after capturing almost 23,000 votes.
She said she will engage with voters in a series of meetings in the 16 counties across the district.
“I look forward to listening to voters across Middle Tennessee. Meeting people will help determine the needs of the district and what solutions are needed to address the diverse challenges each county faces,” Ms. Sherrell said.