SIOUX FALLS, S.D., June 2 (UPI) -- Democrat Stephanie Herseth apparently scored a narrow victory in a special election for South Dakota's lone congressional seat.
With 99 percent of the 798 statewide precincts counted, Herseth Wednesday was leading her Republican opponent, Larry Diedrich, 51 to 49 percent, the Sioux Falls Argus reported.
Herseth had 131,260 votes to 128,644 for Diedrich, a margin of 2,616 votes.
It's likely the two will square off again in the Nov. 2 general election.
The special election became necessary after former Rep. Bill Janklow resigned his seat Jan. 20 following his manslaughter conviction a month earlier in the death of a motorcyclist.
The closeness of the race raises the prospect of a recount.
A candidate can ask for another tally of the votes in a statewide race if the difference is within 0.25 percent of the total votes cast, Secretary of State Chris Nelson said.
About 230,000 votes were cast as of 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, putting the recount threshold at about 575 votes.
