McLeod asks for recount in 12th District primary

A recount is under way in the Republican primary race to face U.S. Rep. John Barrow.

Augusta attorney Wright McLeod requested a recount after he finished third behind state Rep. Lee Anderson of Grovetown and Augusta businessman Rick Allen. McLeod was within 1 percent of Allen -- 584 votes behind — meaning he could ask for a recount.

A spokesman for the Georgia Secretary of State's office said the recount should be completed by noon Thursday.

Allen and McLeod sparred over several issues during the primary campaign, including irregularities in McLeod's campaign finance reports that led to a Federal Election Commission complaint from Allen's campaign.

The runoff vote is Aug. 21. The winner faces Barrow, a four-term Democrat whose district was redrawn last year to lean Republican.

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Daniel Malloy

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