Meyers concedes to Mead in Wyoming

CHEYENNE, Wyo., Aug. 18 (UPI) -- Wyoming state Auditor Rita Meyer conceded to U.S. Attorney Matt Mead Tuesday night after he edged her by just 700 votes in the Republican gubernatorial primary.

Politico reported Meyer called Mead to concede just before 11 p.m. (Mountain Time) after he captured 28.7 percent of the vote to her 28.1 percent with 100 percent of precincts reporting. State law allows for a recount for margins of less than 1 percent.

Meyer had received the backing of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who called her a "straight shooter" and a "unique blend of steel magnolia and mama grizzly" on her Facebook page.

The winner of the Republican primary is expected to succeed outgoing Democratic Gov. Dave Freudenthal because Democrats failed to put up a viable challenger. Freudenthal had considered, but decided against, challenging the state's term-limit law and seeking a third term.

Leslie Petersen, a former state party chairwoman, won the Democratic nomination, beating Peter Gosar, a state Transportation Department pilot, 48 percent to 39 percent.

Meyer congratulated Mead and promised to back him, her spokeswoman, Rachel Girt, told Politico.

"It's been a real hard, close race but both candidates ran a good, hard, clean campaign," Girt said.

In the GOP primary for Wyoming's sole congressional seat, Republican incumbent Cynthia M. Lummis defeated little-known artist Evan Slater 83 percent to 17 percent. Lummis is expected to cruise to victory over Democrat David Wendt , the president of a think tank, who ran unopposed in the primary.