http://www.wptv.com/...

Murphy campaign senior advisor Eric Johnson was quick to reaffirm victory.

"As far as we're concerned, this puts an end to it," Johnson said. "The West people demanded a recount. They got that retabulation and Patrick Murphy gained a margin of 242 votes.

""This election is over," Johnson added.

Mowery said the final count was 65,841 votes for Murphy and 52,704 for West. The results still are unofficial.

Together with votes from Martin and northern Palm Beach counties, the two other counties in District 18, Murphy's lead was still outside the 0.5 percent difference that would mandate a recount under state law.

Whether West, R-Palm Beach Gardens, will attempt further legal challenges remains an open question.

"We are still evaluating how to handle this," West campaign manager Tim Edson said. "It's a unique case."