Recount done: Brockie beats Belcourt

The first results of an election recount are complete, with the original results of the primary standing: Clarena Brockie of Hays has won the race in House District 32 and will serve as the district's representative in the 2013 Montana Legislature.

Hill County Clerk and Recorder Darla Dahl said this morning that no changes came back from the county recounts.

Brockie, the dean of student affairs at Aaniiih Nakoda College on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, defeated Rep. Tony Belcourt, D-Box Elder, 371-368 in the June 5 Democratic primary.

Montana Secretary of State Linda McCulloch said Thursday that the results of the recount must be in her office no later than Tuesday, and the official state canvass will be conducted at 9:30 a.m. next Thursday, with the results announced following the canvass.

Belcourt requested a recount in the five counties, Blaine, Chouteau, Hill, Phillips and Valley, through which the district stretches.

Valley County held its recount Monday, while Hill and Chouteau counties held theirs Tuesday and Blaine and Phillips counties did so Thursday.

As the difference in the votes — .4 percent of the votes cast — was greater than the .25 percent or less requirement for a free recount, Belcourt was required to post a $664.47 bond to cover the expenses of conducting the recount in each county.

As she has no general election opponent, the confirmation of her primary victory gives Brockie the seat in the Legislature.