Clemens Recount Could Begin Tomorrow

State Rep. Jeff Clemens, left

Jeff Clemens beat Mack Bernard by just 35 votes in Tuesday's State Senate primary, triggering a recount that may begin as soon as Friday.

Clemens and Bernard, both Democrat members of the Florida House, were running for the State Senate District 27 seat, which includes Lake Worth.

With all votes counted, Clemens had 50.07 percent to Bernard's 49.93 percent.

Clemens got a total of 12,140 votes, while Bernard got 12,105. The difference between them is 35, but 18 votes swinging from Clemens to Bernard in a recount would make Bernard the winner of the primary. It would also make him our next state senator, given that no Republican will be on the November ballot.

Clemens was mayor of Lake Worth from 2007 to 2010. In 2010 he was elected to the Florida House.

Mack Bernard is a former Delray Beach city commissioner. If he wins the recount, he would be the first person of Haitian descent elected in Palm Beach County.