An automatic recount of the results for Kentucky House District 67 between Democrat Matt Lehman and Republican Terry Hatton has been triggered because only 30 votes separated the two Tuesday night.
A 2021 law, part of House Bill 574, triggers a recount if the results of a race in the general assembly (or several other high-level state races, like governor) is closer than 0.5 percentage points.
Lehman would be the lone Democrat representing Northern Kentucky if he wins the seat formerly held by Democrat Rachel Roberts, who announced last year she’d be retiring after her 2024 term.
Lehman said he had been informed by Campbell County Clerk Jim Luersen that a recount would take place.
“I don’t have any reason to expect the outcome of the election would change,” Lehman told LINK nky. “I have the utmost confidence in Mr. Luersen and the Campbell County Board of Elections to conduct free, fair and safe elections.”
Luersen said the recount will begin on Tuesday, and he expects it to take about two days.
The final numbers, before the recount, were: 9,435 votes for Lehman and 9,405 votes for Hatton.
Lehman posted on X (Formerly Twitter) Tuesday, thanking his constituents and those who supported him.
Thank you to the voters of #hd67. I look forward to serving you in Frankfort.
Thanks to all of the volunteers that knocked doors, made phone calls, wrote postcards and helped the campaign in any way.
Don’t ever hesitate to reach out. I am here to serve every constituent. pic.twitter.com/JSrgs1unL2 — Matthew Lehman (@lehman4kentucky) November 6, 2024
Terry Hatton said in a statement to LINK nky that a recount is appropriate to ensure the election’s integrity.
“Mr. Lehman’s margin of victory is razor thin and state law requires a recount to ensure all votes were correctly scanned,” Hatton said in the statement. “If the vote count remains the same, in two years I plan to run again for this seat because Mr. Lehman’s extreme liberal tendencies that are out of touch with this district will be exposed by his voting record that will only do harm to the hardworking people of HD-67.”
