Virginia Beach (US), Dec 3 (AP) A three-judge panel overseeing a recount in a close Virginia Beach state House race upheld the Republican candidate's victory on Friday, a decision that also reaffirms the GOP's takeover of the chamber.

The certified results from the Nov. 2 election showed Republicans leading in 52 districts and the Democrats leading in 48.

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The recount in the 85th District race resulted in Democratic incumbent Alex Askew gaining 12 votes, but he still trailed Republican challenger Karen Greenhalgh by 115 votes. There was one contested ballot.

The panel found that the intent of the voter was unclear, so that ballot was not counted for either candidate.

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After Democrats requested recounts in two races with razor-thin margins, that left open the remote possibility of a 50-50 split.

Though the second recount is still expected to proceed next week, Democrats no longer have a shot at undoing the GOP's majority after the judges certified that Republican Karen Greenhalgh had defeated Del. Alex Askew in the 85th House District. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)