Paul Pacheco officially wins House seat

Paul Pacheco

The state Canvassing Board has made it official that Republican Paul Pacheco won a recount for an Albuquerque-area seat in the state House of Representatives. 

The board on Monday certified the recount results, which showed Pacheco defeating Democrat Marci Blaze by 78 votes. That's up from a 66-vote margin before the recount. The district covers parts of Sandoval and Bernalillo counties.

 Unofficial recount returns had indicated a 79 vote margin, but Bernalillo County corrected its figures. Pacheco is a retired Albuquerque policeman. Pacheco's victory means Democrats will hold a 38-32 advantage in the House. 

Paul Pacheco officially wins House seat