After a highly contested battle in the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s race that required a recount, Republican candidate John Kellner is the winner. 

Democratic challenger Amy Padden conceded the race Saturday afternoon after the results of the recount were announced by the Arapahoe County Clerk’s Office.

“While the campaign has not been provided with recount numbers from Lincoln County, based on the canvass board reports from the other three counties, Padden reached out to her opponent, John Kellner, just now to congratulate him on his victory,” the Padden campaign announced Saturday afternoon. 

Kellner took to social media and declared himself the winner of the most populous judicial district in the state shortly after 3:30 p.m. Saturday. 

“It’s finally official! The recount is complete across 4 counties and I’ll be taking the oath of office as the next DA of the 18th Judicial District on Jan. 12,” Kellner tweeted. 

Although the race has not yet being certified by the Secretary of State’s office, officials from the Padden campaign expect the margin to be around 1,425 votes, according to their statement. 

The 18th Judicial District is composed of Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties.

Following the Nov. 3 election, Kellner led Padden by 1,433 votes of of 573,359 cast. Although Kellner received more votes, his margin was equal to or less than .05%, which triggered a mandatory recount by state law.

DA race in 18th Judicial District heads to recount

As Padden conceded the race, she said she was proud of her campaign and wished her opponent the best of luck.

“While we were not victorious this time, we generated an interest in this race that had not been seen before. I look forward to the reforms that Mr. Kellner has promised to implement, because they are needed to ensure that communities of color and other marginalized communities ar treated equally and fairly,” Padden said in the statement.

“I wish Mr. Kellner the best of luck and have offered any assistance that I might be able to provide in implementing his reforms.”