Watch CBS News

Utah Republican lawmaker wins re-election by just 3 votes

SALT LAKE CITY  -- A Republican lawmaker who authored Utah’s now-overturned same-sex marriage ban has won re-election by three votes.

Salt Lake County’s election canvass on Tuesday showed the razor-thin win by Rep. LaVar Christensen of Draper over Democratic challenger Suzanne Harrison.

Harrison says she’s going to ask for a recount.

Christensen was trailing on election night by almost 200 votes, but the race flipped over the past two weeks as election officials finished counting the 17,071 ballots cast.

Christensen says in a statement that it’s a privilege to serve in the district and looks forward to serving again.

Tuesday’s results in Salt Lake County also showed Democrats picked up two seats from West Valley City and Taylorsville in the Legislature, which is dominated by Republicans.

Elizabeth Weight defeated incumbent Sophia DiCaro and Karen Kwan won an open seat over Republican Macade Jensen.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.