A recount in the Concord special election yesterday slightly narrowed the gap between Democrat Jim MacKay and Republican Lynne Ferrari Blankenbeker, but did not change the results.

Blankenbeker still won the race for the vacant House seat in Merrimack County District 11, 860 to 843. She will be sworn in at Wednesday's Executive Council meeting.

"I think the recount just upheld what the voters of Concord already decided back on Nov. 3," Blankenbeker said. "Now that the process is through, I'm looking forward to working for the voters."

Through the recount, MacKay picked up five votes and Blankenbeker picked up two. The extra votes were due to ballots that were marked incorrectly so were not counted on election night. As long as a voter's intent was clear, the ballots were included in the recount.

MacKay is a former five-term state legislator and Concord mayor, who switched from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party this year. Blankenbeker is an attorney, nurse and military officer who will be serving her first term in elected office.

State Republicans have viewed the race as an enormous victory, in a district that is overwhelmingly Democratic. "Lynne's recount victory serves as a reminder for Governor Lynch and the radical leadership in the House and Senate that New Hampshire is fed up with the lack of fiscal discipline that has been displayed by the Democrats," said Republican State Committee Chairman John H. Sununu.

Democrats have attributed the loss to factors including low turnout and MacKay's recent switch between parties.

Both candidates fought hard during the campaign. According to their final filings with the secretary of state's office, Blankenbeker spent more than $2,000 in the general election campaign, and MacKay spent nearly $3,500. Most of the money for both candidates went to phone calls, mailings and ads.

MacKay has said he will continue doing his work as a mental health advocate. Blankenbeker has said she will be a voice of fiscal conservatism in the House. She does not yet know what committees she will serve on.