Lauri Clapp Concedes State Senate Race, Congratulates Newell

By Jeremy Pelzer, PolitickerCO.com Reporter

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, November 19, 2008

CENTENNIAL - Lauri Clapp, Republican candidate for State Senate District 26, conceded and offered congratulations to her opponent, Democrat Linda Newell, this afternoon. Late Tuesday night, the Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder posted the final tally in the race after counting all the remaining mail-in and provisional ballots. The final vote margin in the Senate District race is 191, with 30,405 votes for Newell and 30,214 votes for Lauri Clapp.

"While an election that is decided by less than 200 votes can at times be divisive, I extend my sincere congratulations to Linda, and wish her the very best. She has a lot of work ahead of her, and I hope she is sensitive and responsive to the needs of our community."

Despite the closeness of the final vote, Clapp said that she did not believe it would be in the interest of the public or the taxpayers to go through a lengthy or potentially divisive contested recount. "I am convinced that the Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder, her staff, and the members of the bipartisan canvass board have done a good job in ensuring the accuracy and transparency of the election," she said.

"While we came up just a few votes short, I'm committed to honoring the will of the people. A race like this demonstrates the fact that every vote matters."

Clapp expressed gratitude for the many people who have been involved in her campaign, and for the many volunteers who knocked on doors, made phone calls, and helped with mailings. "In particular, I want to thank my family for standing with me over the course of this campaign and during my time in public office," said Clapp.

Clapp expressed pride in her record of legislative accomplishments and commitment to conservative values, limited government, economic growth and health care reform, and gratitude for the voters who have allowed her to serve. "After eight years in the State Legislature, and three years on the Englewood City Council, I'm looking forward to spending some time with my three children, Nataly, Candace, and Colton," she said.

"I believe that Arapahoe County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family. I believe it can be an even better place if we can continue to make government work for us, and take more personal responsibility to improve and give back to our community. I look forward to the opportunities for service that the future will bring," Clapp concluded.

Senate District 26 is located in Arapahoe County, and includes the cities of Centennial and Englewood.