Allen West Concedes

Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) has conceded his contested re-election race to Democrat Patrick Murphy.

“While a contest of the election results might have changed the vote totals, we do not have evidence that the outcome would change,” West said in a press release. “Given the extremely high evidentiary hurdles involved in a successful challenge, I will not ask my generous supporters to help fund a drawn-out, expensive legal effort with little chance of success. Therefore, we will not contest the certification or challenge the seating of Congressman-Elect Murphy.”

His announcement, just hours before Florida releases certified election results, puts a halt to the fundraising that both sides were doing to prep for a long court battle over the results.

“While there are certainly still inaccuracies in the results, and the actions of the St. Lucie County and Palm Beach County Supervisors of Elections rightly raise questions in my mind and for many voters, after much analysis and this past weekend’s recount in St. Lucie County, our legal team does not believe there are enough over-counted, undercounted or fraudulent votes to change the outcome of the election,” West said.

Final results Sunday from ballots counted in Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties gave Murphy a 1,904-vote lead over West.

West got St. Lucie County to retabulate its early ballots, but that still didn’t knock Murphy to the 0.5 percent margin needed to trigger a recount.

The congressman said he was praying for Murphy, and added, ”Only God knows what is in store for each of us. I have dedicated my life to serving this nation, and the results of this election will not change my purpose. Just as I did in the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan, just as I did on Capitol Hill, I will continue to fight for our Republic.”