Upshur sheriff challenger said he might seek election recount - KYTX CBS 19 Tyler Longview News Weather Sports

GILMER (TYLER MORNING TELEGRAPH) - Larry Webb on Tuesday indicated he might seek a recount of votes in that day's Upshur County Republican runoff for sheriff, after complete but unofficial returns showed incumbent Anthony Betterton defeating him by 25 votes out of 4,611 cast.

Asked late Tuesday if he would seek a recount, Webb said "I haven't decided yet on that."

Betterton, who was seeking reelection to a fourth four-year term, led the veteran Longview police officer by 2,318 to 2,293. It was by far Betterton's closest election since he was first elected by the same 25-vote margin in the 2000 Democratic primary. He converted to the Republican Party in late 2010.

No Democrat is seeking the post in the November general election.

At one point Tuesday evening, Betterton's lead swelled to at least 163 votes before late returns from Glenwood and East Mountain, where Webb ran strongly, reduced the margin to 25.

Webb called it a "good race. What it tells me is Upshur County is ready for it. I just have to work a little bit more, work a little harder. Twenty-five votes is close."

Betterton had led Webb by more than 400 votes in the May 29 primary in a four-candidate field. One of the losing candidates in the primary, Donald Willeford, then endorsed Betterton.