Topeka ? House Republicans will have a 78-47 majority next year, one less than they thought on election night, after recounts in four districts were completed Friday.

The margin means Republicans will have five fewer seats when the Legislature convenes Jan. 8, but more than enough to control the chamber, where it takes 63 votes to pass a bill.

In the 16th District in Overland Park, Democrat Gene Rardin defeated Republican John Kriegshauser by a three-vote margin, 4,131-4,128, after the recount was completed, said Stephanie Wing, spokeswoman for the secretary of state’s office.

Kriegshauser defeated Rep. Jim Yonally in the GOP primary in August. On Nov. 7 he was ahead by 27 votes after the polls closed but when provisional ballots were counted, Rardin pulled ahead with a four-vote margin.

Recounts in three other challenged districts resulted in no change in the outcome, including one incumbent losing his seat.

Provisional ballots are cast when there’s some question about whether a voter is eligible to cast a ballot, such as voting in the correct precinct. They are counted only if it’s determined the voter was eligible to cast a ballot.

She said state election officials can’t recall a time when there were challenges to the outcome of four House races at the same time. The State Board of Canvassers meets Nov. 29 to certify the results of all state elections.

In District 72, Rep. Tom Thull, D-North Newton lost to Republican Marc Rhodes, of Newton, 3,617 to 3,579. On election night, Thull trailed by 63 votes and the provisional ballots narrowed that to 34 votes. The final tally had him losing by 38 votes.

Rep. Mitch Holmes, R-St. John, kept his seat. On election night, he was 25 votes ahead of Democratic challenger Kent Goyen, of Pratt. With the provisional votes added, he had a 131-vote and the recount gave a him a 3,732-3,599 victory.

In District 112, the Great Bend, Republican William Wolf had 2,910 votes versus 2,867 for Democrat Marty Keenan.