Virginia delegate who barely won special election is seated

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By Warren Fiske
The Virginian-Pilot
© January 26, 2009

RICHMOND

Democrat Charniele Herring of Alexandria was finally awarded her seat in the House of Delegates today.

The Virginia Board of Elections declared Herring the winner of a Jan. 13 special election, defeating Republican Joe Murray by 16 votes out of 2,672 cast.

Murray demanded a recount, however, and Republicans who control the House refused to seat Herring until the challenge was resolved.

A three-judge judicial panel completed the recount today, and the results were unchanged: Herring, 1,344 votes; Jones, 1,328.

Herring received a standing ovation after taking the oath of office.

“We’re delighted to have the gentlewoman from Alexandria with us,” quipped Speaker William Howell, R-Stafford. “My only question is what took you so long?”

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"end up w/more votes than registered voters?"

Submitted by keithb64840 on Mon, 01/26/2009 at 11:36 pm.

Nothing in this article says that.

Is it just an empty claim?

Political sense of humor...

Submitted by desert_divine on Mon, 01/26/2009 at 4:28 pm.

“We’re delighted to have the gentlewoman from Alexandria with us,” quipped Speaker William Howell, R-Stafford. “My only question is what took you so long?”

Either that guy is stupid or he has a really bad sense of humor...

What was the final count?

Submitted by dogpen on Mon, 01/26/2009 at 3:49 pm.

The way she looked on Fridays Pilotonline photo says it all. She knows she got away w/something. The perverbial cat that ate the canary is what it looked like to me. They say a picture is worth a million words so how did she end up w/more votes than registered voters? What was the final tally? I'm getting to where I just don't believe any of this anymore. But I digress.