Sands – Dudik Win Races After Provisional Ballots Counted [YouTube]

Nearly a week after the general election, two razor thin elections were decided by a count of provisional ballots at the fairgrounds election center. 

In the race for State Senate District 49, Democrat Diane Sands led by just seven votes over Republican Dick Haines, while Democrat Kimberly Dudik led Independent Gary Marbut by less than 30 votes.

Election administrator Rebecca Connors made the announcement just after 5 p.m, on Monday evening.

"For Senate District 49, I have Diane Sands at 3,933, these are our election night numbers plus provisionals, and Dick Haines with 3,902," Connors said. "For House District 94, I have I have Kim Dudik at 1,748 and Gary Marbut at 1,700."

Those margins of victory put both races out of the possibility of a recount, and both Sands and Dudik embraced in celebration. Sands then praised Haines as a dedicated public servant with a long history of service to Missoula.