GOOCHLAND, Va. — A Republican primary recount was being held Thursday to settle whether John McGuire, a state senator backed by former President Donald Trump, narrowly defeated incumbent U.S. Rep. Bob Good, a conservative who chairs the hard-right House Freedom Caucus.
The recount of the election for the seat representing Virginia’s 5th Congressional District comes after elections officials certified that McGuire won by 374 votes out of nearly 63,000 ballots cast, or six-tenths of a percentage point.
Elections officials have said they are confident in the result, but Good filed a recount petition in Goochland Circuit Court, citing apparent voting irregularities in Lynchburg.
“I think conservatives across the country and the commonwealth want to make sure this result is accurate and reflects the true intent of all the voters in this election,” Good said after a mid-July hearing where the recount was scheduled.
Good was able to seek a recount because McGuire’s victory margin was less than one percent. But his campaign must pay for it since the margin is greater than half a percentage point.
A three-judge panel was overseeing the recount, which was to continue until all ballots were tallied. Chief Judge Claude Worrell II estimated last month that it would cost $96,500, though that amount could change.
“It’s not likely to be thrilling — this is no TV drama,” said Brad Marrs, a Richmond-area attorney representing Good. “It is a slow…
