Griswold calls for recount in House District 58 Republican primary race decided by three votes

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice

JULY 15, 2024

Three votes. That’s how close the Colorado House District 58 Republican primary race was between Larry Don Suckla and Mark Roeber.

The two candidates were separated by 0.02% of the vote.

It falls within the criteria for a mandatory recount, called Monday by Secretary of State Jena Griswold. Any race not decided by at least 0.5% qualifies for a mandatory recount, a press statement from Griswold’s office reads.

“The unofficial results of the Republican primary race for House District 58 race show that every vote matters,” said Secretary of State Jena Griswold.

She has notified the eight counties within the House district the recount must be complete by Friday, July 26. State law clarifies the process for a mandatory recount, Griswold’s statement reads.

House District 58 includes Dolores, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray and San Miguel counties, and parts of Delta and Montezuma counties.

Expenses for the recount “shall be paid by the entity that certified the candidate, ballot question or ballot issue for the ballot,” state law reads.

Unofficial returns reported by the secretary of state’s office had Suckla with 6,488 of the 12,973 votes cast, and Mark Roeber with 6,485 votes.

The winner of the recount will advance as the Republican nominee to face Democrat Kathleen Curry in the general election.