Patrick Murphy wins, but West legal action still pending

Patrick Murphy, the newest Democratic member of Congress. It's semi-official: Patrick Murphy has won his challenge against Rep. Allen West. The results have not yet been certified by the state.

The final tally'still considered unofficial'put Murphy ahead of West by 2,429 votes. Overall, Murphy captured 166,799 votes to West's 164,370 in District 18, which spans portions of Martin, St. Lucie and Palm Beach counties. An automatic recount is triggered by a margin of 0.5 percent. Murphy's lead gives him a .7 percent advantage. All ballots in Martin and St. Lucie counties have been counted.

That should mean it's all over, but this is Allen West we're talking about. He sued in Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties, attempting to have the ballots and voting machines impounded. The judge in Palm Beach threw the case out on Friday, and the St. Lucie hearing is scheduled for Tuesday.

West's campaign hasn't responded officially to these results yet, but a supporter hints at what we're likely in for.

West's supporters were far from ready to put the election behind them. Throughout the night more than dozen West supporters remained at the supervisor's tabulation center in Riviera Beach waiting for the final results.

'I completely disagree with everything Mr. Murphy's representatives are saying,' said Jeffrey Scott Shapiro, a Boca Raton lawyer volunteering for the West campaign. 'I think it would be a serious mistake and it would be unfair to the voters to presume anything at this unfinished stage.'

West isn't going anywhere yet, and we've got to help Murphy see this through.

Please chip in $3 to help Patrick Murphy fight this legal battle.