Democrat wins U.S. House seat in Conn.

[Ron Burgundy]

AP - A painfully thin lead for Democrat Joe Courtney on election night last week shriveled to an even narrower victory following a recount in all 65 towns in Connecticut's 2nd Congressional District.

With the roller-coaster recount that uncovered vote-counting flaws in several towns, Courtney eked out a 91-vote victory over three-term Republican Rep. Rob Simmons, according to results tabulated by 65 town clerks and reported to The Associated Press.

On election night Nov. 7, he led by 167 votes of nearly 250,000 votes cast.

"This is doing it the hard way," Courtney told the AP on Tuesday.

Courtney, who lost to Simmons in 2002, linked his rival to the Iraq war and President Bush in the nation's most heavily leaning Democratic district to be represented by a Republican.

He is the second Connecticut Democrat to oust an incumbent from Congress this year. State Sen. Chris Murphy defeated 12-term Rep. Nancy Johnson (news, bio, voting record) last week.

"It's been an exciting year for Democrats and this is the crowning glory," state Democratic Party chairwoman Nancy DiNardo said.

Rep. Christopher Shays (news, bio, voting record), the only other Connecticut Republican who was targeted by national Democrats, beat back a challenge by Democrat Diane Farrell in southwestern Connecticut.

Both parties monitored the recount carefully and confirmed that Courtney had the final edge, although their figures differed slightly. Republicans said Courtney won by 96 votes, while Democrats had the margin at 93. Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz planned a news conference Wednesday morning to announce the results.

State Republican Party chairman George Gallo praised Simmons.

"He ran a great campaign. He served with distinction in the 2nd District and he can hold his head up very high," Gallo said.

Simmons campaign manager Chris Healy said the recount was open and fair. "We're very thankful for that," he said.

Courtney's advantage fluctuated wildly during the recount as towns re-examined their voting machines and envelopes of absentee ballots and began rechecking their original counts.

At one point Monday, Courtney's lead dipped to a low of 66 votes after a 100-vote discrepancy was discovered in Lebanon. Significant recording errors were also discovered in Lyme and Waterford. Minor errors were reported throughout the district, with each candidate picking up or losing one or more votes.

Courtney claimed victory the day after the election and was in Washington this week to attend orientation sessions and have his picture taken with other first-time House members. But he kept a nervous eye on the recount.