Koenen wins recount in 2nd U.S. House District

On Aug. 7, Glenn Koenen, of Oakville, won the Democratic primary in the 2nd U.S. House District by a narrow margin of just 48 votes over Harold Whitfield, his closest opponent.

On the basis of that narrow margin, Whitfield, a Kirkwood attorney, called for a recall, which took place Sept. 5, 6 and 7 in Jefferson, St. Charles and St. Louis counties.

Missouri state statue allows for a candidate that loses by less than 1 percent of the vote to call for a recount and Whitfield told West Newsmagazine that it would be prudent to ask for one.

Whitfield noted, “I just think any candidate would want to do this if it were that close. If not, down the road, youd be sorry and thinking about why you didn’t do that. … In my gut, I believe I won.”

Koenen, for his part, never wavered from his position that he had won the primary.

“I think the numbers are very strong,” he told West Newsmagazine in an earlier interview, “but I understand why Harold wants to make sure. This is just going to be a little delay on the road to victory.”

Koenen faces Republican nominee Ann Wagner, of Ballwin, in the November election.