Lynchburg, VA -  On Wednesday afternoon, Delegate Shannon Valentine conceded the race in the 23rd District. Valentine says she will not request a recount.

Republican Dr. Scott Garrett won the seat by a razor thin margin- 208 votes. Garrett trailed Valentine for most of the evening, and then the polling precinct where on-campus Liberty University (web) students vote was counted. Garrett won 85 percent of the vote at that location.

Delegate Valentine has not answered any of our numerous attempts to contact her. Speaking on her behalf, Lynchburg Democratic Party leaders tell us she made her decision after Wednesday morning's canvas.

Democrats were hoping for some good news, and they did get a little bit. Valentine cut into Garrett's lead with provisional ballots, but they say it just wasn't enough to warrant a recount.

"Delegate Valentine got four of those provisional ballots and Scott Garrett got two," Lynchburg Electoral Board Chairperson Arelia Langhorne said.

In the end, a lead of 208 votes is just too much for a recount.

"She feels like it is not going to make any difference and she's not going to put them through it," Lynchburg Democratic Party chair John Lawrence said.

Valentine's decision also saves taxpayers the cost of a recount, which could be a couple thousand dollars.

"If there was a lot of things that had come up in the canvas today, then she probably would have, but since it went so smoothly, she's decided not to," Lawrence said.

Local Republicans are applauding her choice.

Wendall Walker with Lynchburg Republican Party said, "We're not like Chicago, where we pull these boxes of votes out of the closet or out of the grave, whatever."

The canvas still has not been completed. The vote might not be certified until Friday, but it's clear, there are no more votes to find for Valentine.

"I know of no reason why those numbers will change," Langhorne said.

Delegate Valentine could change her mind. If she does, she has 10 days after the vote is certified to request a recount.

With Dr. Garrett moving on to the General Assembly, it's now time to find his replacement on the Lynchburg City Council (web) . Garrett's term expires on June 30th next year.

The Mayor can appoint someone to fulfill his unexpired term. The Lynchburg Democratic Party believes Marie Waller or Tom Shahady would be perfect for the seat.

Both recently lost bids to join City Council. 
 

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