Two close races in the 17th Legislative District have candidates eagerly awaiting the next count of ballots, due late this afternoon.

Tuesday’s cliffhanger for the 17th’s Senate seat has current state Rep. Tim Probst, D-Vancouver, holding a lead of 222 votes over incumbent Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver.

Democrats congratulated Probst as the local party gathered Tuesday night at the Red Lion Hotel Vancouver at the Quay. But Probst said he’s not celebrating yet.

“We’ll see,” Probst said to one supporter. “It’s still too close to call.”

Thus far, Probst has attracted 50.2 percent of the vote. Probst said he’s feeling good about his position.