Topeka — From the start, the race between freshman Republican Sen. Dave Jackson and Democratic challenger Laura Kelly in the 18th Senate District promised to be close.
Just how close wasn't completely clear until well after the polls closed on Nov. 2.
Kelly held an eight-vote lead following Friday's canvass in Wabaunsee County. But 557 provisional ballots in the Senate race remained to be examined and possibly tallied in Shawnee County -- part of which also lies in the district -- and county commissioners were to begin the task today.
Both parties are keenly interested in the outcome, which was the final factor in determining if the Senate would retain its current makeup of 30 Republicans and 10 Democrats.
Political newcomer Kelly was encouraged to run by the state's top Democrat -- Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, with whom she is friends. Democrats also considered Jackson vulnerable in the 18th District, which was redrawn since 2000 to shed some Topeka precincts while gaining all of Wabaunsee County.
A total 30,140 votes were cast for the Senate seat on Tuesday, and initial counts showed Jackson winning Waubansee County by a huge margin but trailing Kelly overall by 39 votes.
The margin narrowed Friday when Wabaunsee County commissioners hand-counted 10 valid provisional ballots plus 78 that voting machines couldn't read Tuesday night. The canvass yielded 59 votes for Jackson and 28 for Kelly.
"You just need 50 (percent) plus one," Kelly said Friday.
Jackson had expected to gain votes in Wabaunsee County but was surprised by just how many he picked up.
"Looks a lot better. Looks like we had practically a miracle," he said.
Wabaunsee County's canvass took about two hours. No one knew how long it would take in Shawnee County, where the 557 provisional Senate ballots were among roughly 2,000 countywide that remained to be examined.
Voters are given provisional ballots when there are questions on Election Day about their qualifications, such as whether they're voting in the right location.
Each ballot is studied later for a decision on whether it is valid.
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