Dem. challenger concedes in N.C. race

[Ron Burgundy]

AP - Democrat challenger Larry Kissell conceded defeat Wednesday to Rep. Robin Hayes (news, bio, voting record), after an initial phase of a hand recount showed the result was not likely to change.

Kissell conceded even though only five of the 10 counties in the district had completed the hand recount of sample precincts that he requested. He picked up 2 votes, but would have needed a total of about 10 votes to trigger a full recount.

"After today's recounts, I offer Congressman Hayes a belated congratulation for his victory now that the votes have been counted," Kissell said in a statement. He also said he was starting his 2008 congressional bid immediately.

The race, which Hayes led by just 329 votes out of 121,523 cast following a machine recount last week, is one of the nation's last unresolved elections for a U.S. House seat.

"Representing the folks of the 8th District for a fifth term is an honor and I look forward to continue working on the issues of importance to each county and local community," Hayes said in a statement. "I can't express my thanks to all the hard-working volunteers who helped our campaign to victory."

In the other races, Democratic Rep. William Jefferson (news, bio, voting record), the subject of an FBI bribery investigation, will face fellow Democrat Karen Carter in a Dec. 9 runoff in Louisiana. In Texas, GOP Rep. Henry Bonilla (news, bio, voting record) will face Democratic former Rep. Ciro Rodriguez (news, bio, voting record) in a Dec. 12 runoff.

In Florida, Democrat Christine Jennings has contested her election loss to Republican Vern Buchanan, whom state officials certified as the winner of a race to replace Rep. Katherine Harris (news, bio, voting record).

Jennings is trailing Buchanan by 369 votes after a manual recount. She has said machines malfunctioned in Sarasota County, where many voters attended a public hearing after the election to complain that the machines didn't properly register their vote.

Buchanan has moved forward as the congressman-elect, arguing that recounts confirmed him the winner and an initial testing of the machines hasn't produced any evidence they malfunctioned.

In Ohio, a recount is under way in the race between Rep. Deborah Pryce (news, bio, voting record) and Democratic challenger Mary Jo Kilroy. Pryce won the race by 1,055 votes, but the margin was small enough to trigger an automatic recount.