Fla. certifies Murphy winner over West

• Tweet

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Nov. 10 (UPI) -- Florida elections officials Saturday certified Democrat Patrick Murphy as the winner in Tuesday's election over incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Allen West.

The certification came one day after a Florida judge denied West's motion to impound ballots and voting machines for a possible recount. Palm Beach County Circuit Court Judge David F. Crow ruled West's motion was premature because no official result had been announced.

West had raised the prospect of voting irregularities but the judge said there was no evidence any statute had been violated, the Fort Pierce Tribune reported.

"As expected, the Election Night results have been confirmed," Murphy said in a statement Saturday.

Murphy said he would represent everyone in the 18th congressional district "(r)egardless of whether they voted for me or my opponent," The Hill reported.

West, first elected in 2010 and a favorite of the Tea Party, had not conceded the election as of midday Saturday.