Beth wrote this week about Republican Rep. Mia Love’s lawsuit over ballot signatures in her very tight re-election race. At the time, she was trailing her Democratic opponent Ben McAdams. Prior to the ruling, The Cook Political Report’s David Wasserman said that Love is favored to prevail, and it looks she will do that.This comes hours a ruling on that lawsuit was handed down; a judge tossed it. But there’s no need to despair. She officially took the lead yesterday, though its within the margin of recount territory (via The Hill):
BREAKING: As expected, #UT04 GOP Rep. Mia Love (R) has pulled into the lead over Ben McAdams (D) by 419 votes. Hard to see how she relinquishes it now. https://t.co/nfsptUdHiN
— Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) November 16, 2018
Incumbent Rep. Mia Love (R-Utah) pulled ahead in her race against Democrat Ben McAdams for the first time Friday as an updated vote count in Utah County gave her a narrow lead.
Love is currently ahead by 419 votes after Friday’s tally, reversing her previous deficit of more than 1,000 votes, according to the Utah secretary of state's website.
McAdams, the mayor of Salt Lake County, had spent the week in Washington as part of new member orientation, the Salt Lake Tribune noted.
Thousands of provisional ballots remain uncounted and Love’s current margin is well within the 0.25 percent to trigger a recount in Utah.
BREAKING: #UT04 Rep. Mia Love (R) narrowly wins latest batch of votes from Salt Lake Co., narrowing Ben McAdams (D)'s lead form 1,227 to 873. This makes her the favorite to prevail, once more Utah Co. votes are counted.
— Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) November 15, 2018
It's still a nail-biter, but it seems Love will just barely win another term in Congress. It's a hold the GOP needed in the House, as they've lost close to 40 seats.
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