GOP incumbent David Yancey won a "lot draw" in the race for Virginia's House of Delegates Thursday, giving Republicans control of the chamber.
The quirk of democracy came as the Virginia Board of Elections used the procedure laid out in a 1705 law to settle the 11,608-to-11,608 tie between Yancey and Democrat Shelly Simonds for the seat.
James Alcorn, the chairman of the board of elections, drew a film canister with Yancey's name out of a blue and white ceramic bowl made by Virginia artist Steven Glass.
After the lot draw, Simonds did not rule out seeking a second recount, saying "all options are still on the table."
"At this moment, I am not conceding," she said. A spokeswoman for the state's House Democratic caucus said a statement on the next steps for Democrats is coming later Thursday.
Still, Alcorn, the election board chairman, said that Yancey is now certified as the winner.
He said it's an "open question" whether Virginia laws would allow for a second recount, and that if Simonds asks for one, a judge would have to settle it.
Yancey did not attend the drawing. He'd previously resisted Simonds' requests to make the lot draw the final word in a saga that has dragged on since Democrats flipped 15 seats, nearly taking control of the previously Republican-dominated House of Delegates in November's election.
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