Republican Rep. Bob Good is seeking a recount in his Virginia primary race against challenger John McGuire, citing concerns over election integrity. Good’s campaign claims that a county registrar’s office started the ballot process two hours early, with a member of McGuire’s team present, without notifying Good’s team.
The incumbent also pointed to alleged fires in three voting precincts on Election Day, which he believes may have impacted the outcome.
“We are committed to making sure every legal vote is counted in what remains a very close race that will likely be in recount territory,” said Good’s senior advisor and campaign manager Diana Shores.
Good’s campaign has submitted Freedom of Information Act requests regarding the fire alarms and has penned a legal letter about the canvass process. Virginia election officials, however, claim that no fires occurred at polling places and that any fire alarms that sounded had little impact on election operations.
The Virginia Department of Elections results showed Good trailing by just 330 votes on Friday. Two polls conducted earlier in June predicted different outcomes, with one putting McGuire ahead by 10 points and another giving Good a 9-point lead. McGuire received the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, who called him the best candidate to “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.” Good, on the other hand, endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president before he dropped out.
McGuire has already declared victory in his race against Good, but as long as his margin of victory remains below 1%, Good has grounds to call for a recount.
