* Republican sought re-election to second term
* Results show Democrat Patrick Murphy won by 1,900 votes
MIAMI, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Tea Party-backed Republican
Congressman Allen West said he was still not ready to concede
defeat on Sunday, almost two weeks after the Nov. 6 election,
when the clock ran out on a partial recount in South Florida.
Results showing West trailing Democratic challenger Patrick
Murphy by 1,900 votes were now expected to be turned over to the
state Division of Elections for official certification.
West was granted a recount of early ballots in St. Lucie
county at the weekend, but officials were unable to complete the
process before time ran out at midday on Sunday.
"Today at noon, it became clear Patrick Murphy will be
officially certified as the next congressman from the 18th
Congressional District," said Murphy's campaign manager Anthony
Kusich. "It is beyond time to put this campaign behind us."
Under Florida law in the event of an incomplete recount the
original returns are automatically submitted for certification
by the state.
"This is election is far from over," said West's campaign
manager, Tim Edson, in a statement calling the results "highly
suspect."
"We will continue to fight on behalf of all voters in
District 18 to ensure a fair and accurate count of their votes,"
he added, without saying how the campaign planned to challenge
the result.
West, 51, a former Army lieutenant colonel, is seeking his
second term in the U.S. House of Representatives, where
Republicans held onto their majority in the election.
West amassed one of the largest campaign war chests among
House Republicans. His known supporters include Americans for
Prosperity, the conservative political advocacy group funded by
the billionaire Koch brothers.
Murphy, 29, a political newcomer in his first congressional
race, ran a surprisingly well-backed campaign focused on
branding West as a divisive, right-wing extremist.
(Writing by David Adams; Editing by Jackie Frank)
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