Bernie Sanders may ask for recount of tight Iowa caucus results
Feb 2, 2016, 9:05 AM | Updated: 1:18 pm
Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt, waves to the crowd at his caucus night rally in Des Moines, Iowa, Monday, Feb. 2, 2016. (AP Photo/J. David Ake)
(AP Photo/J. David Ake)
Democratic presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders remained in a deadlock Tuesday morning after the Iowa caucus and Sanders has questioned irregularities in the vote count.
Monday’s Democratic contest was a cliffhanger. “The results tonight are the
closest in Iowa Democratic caucus history,” state party chairman Andy McGuire said.
So close that Sanders may ask for a recount. Political blog The Hill reported that Sanders’ campaign argued that the party didn’t send impartial staffers to 90 caucus sites. He would have to rely on rival campaigns’ precinct bosses to self-report results.
Not that long ago, Clinton was seen as a runaway choice for the party. The Iowa results showed Sanders’ surge. Clinton led, 49.9 of the votes to Sanders’ 49.6.
We accomplished what the political establishment said was impossible. Don't underestimate us https://t.co/DeV0NhI2mi pic.twitter.com/CwH0mhkkT2
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) February 2, 2016
Clinton claimed victory on her way out of the first official fight of the political season but one precinct remained outstanding.
History: made. #IowaCaucus pic.twitter.com/ADAxUi5oU7
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) February 2, 2016
That paper-thin margin pushed Sanders to ask the party to release a raw vote count.
“I can only hope and expect that the count will be honest,” he said.
Sanders’ campaign director, Jeff Weaver, said he did not “anticipate we are going to contest” specific results.
This is the second time that Clinton has left Iowa with a surprising outcome. In 2008, she was run over by then-Sen. Barack Obama.
Nearly all the candidates planned to be in New Hampshire by midday Tuesday. Polls show the Vermont senator leading Clinton in New Hampshire.
Sen. Ted Cruz captured the Republican caucus in Iowa, upsetting tycoon front-runner Donald Trump.
The New Hampshire primary is Feb. 9.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
