Bob Good files for recount in Virginia’s 5th District GOP primary to find ‘true result’ of election

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.), the incumbent in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District, has officially filed for a recount in the district’s recent GOP primary to “ascertain the true result” of the election, according to court filings.

Court documents obtained by 8News state that Good is seeking a recount in the recent election , citing the only 374 votes that separate him and Sen. John McGuire (R-Goochland.). A total of 62,792 votes were reportedly cast.

In Virginia, a 1% margin between candidates is needed in order to qualify for a recount. The difference between Good’s 31,209 votes and McGuire’s 31,583 votes is 0.596%, according to court documents.

“Virginia law provides, and the need for accuracy and public confidence in the outcome of the Primary Election requires, that a recent be held,” Good stated in the court filing.

As the difference is over 0.5%, Virginia law dictates that the petitioner for the recount must pay its associated costs. Good acknowledges and accepts this in the court filing.

8News was provided the following statement from Good’s campaign regarding the filing:

The Good for Congress campaign has filed our Petition for Recount with the Clerk of the Court in Goochland County. We anticipate a preliminary hearing soon on a full recount. We’ve been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for the campaign to move ahead with the recount process. In the meantime, Congressman Good will continue serving his constituents and fighting for reduced spending, secure borders, and our constitutional freedoms.

Bob Good’s campaign.

8News also reached out to McGuire for a comment and received the following statement:

Recounting the ballots and delaying the inevitable may make Bob feel better, but it won’t make him congressman again. More people voted for John McGuire than voted for Bob Good, no matter how many times he counts it. It is hard to imagine there are donors out there willing to invest in what is certainly another losing effort by Bob.

Sean Brown, consultant for John McGuire’s campaign.

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