The Florida lawmaker's concession follows a two-week battle to contest Election Day results.
Florida Rep. Allen West has conceded to his Democratic opponent Patrick Murphy, putting an end to one of the election year's most high-profile and expensive House contests.
Following a weekend recount of early voting ballots, Murphy had a net gain of nearly 300 votes. West's campaign initially said it would continue to explore its legal options, but instead decided to opt out of a costly court battle.
“While there are certainly still inaccuracies in the results, and the actions of the St. Lucie County and Palm Beach County Supervisors of Elections rightly raise questions in my mind and for many voters, after much analysis and this past weekend’s recount in St. Lucie County, our legal team does not believe there are enough over-counted, undercounted or fraudulent votes to change the outcome of the election,” West said in a statement released Tuesday morning.
So, what's next for the lawmaker, easily his freshman class's most outspoken and fiery member who also has been one of the House's most prolific fundraisers?
“Right now, God knows the plan for my life,” West told Fox News in a Tuesday morning appearance. “The most important thing is to enjoy Thanksgiving. My concerns right now are to be with family."
With West's loss, South Carolina Rep. Tim Scott is the House's lone Black Republican.
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(Photo: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
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