This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Sept. 4, 2012 - A recount is set this week in the Democratic primary for Missouri's 2nd congressional district, a contest in which just a few dozen votes separate Glenn Koenen and Harold Whitfield.
When the dust settled after Aug. 7, Koenen, the former executive director of the Valley Park-based Circle of Concern food pantry, was ahead of Kirkwood attorney Harold Whitfield by 49 votes out of 27,815 votes. Whitfield told the Beacon he would likely ask for a recount, and Koenen sent out an e-mail this week that such a process was going forward.
Koenen’s e-mail stated that the recount will go forward in St. Charles, Jefferson and St. Louis counties from Wednesday to Friday. Sarah Jorgenson, a spokeswoman for Secretary of State Robin Carnahan, said in an e-mail that such a timetable was accurate.
Jorgenson added the time period of the recount will depend on "how long it takes the three counties involved to certify their results and send them" to the secretary of state. Carnahan's office must certify the results no later than Sept. 17.
If his margin holds, Koenen will square off against Republican nominee Ann Wagner. Wagner – the former chairwoman of the Missouri Republican Party and ambassador to Luxemburg – easily defeated former Webster Groves Councilman Randy Jotte in last month’s primary.
