Ariz. House race likely headed for recount

The bitter battle between Rep. Ron Barber (D-Ariz.) and former Air Force pilot Martha McSally (R) looks headed for a recount.  

{mosads}On Monday, McSally led the incumbent by 363 votes. On Tuesday, the Arizona Republic reported that now only 133 votes separate the two, with about 200 provisional ballots yet to be counted. If either candidate wins by fewer than 200 votes, the state requires a recount. 

In their first matchup in 2012, Barber avoided a recount, but only narrowly defeated McSally after 11 days of vote-counting. This would be the first-ever congressional recount in Arizona. 

According to the Arizona Republic report, the state is waiting on those who cast the remaining provisional ballots to show up and confirm their identities. Voters have until Wednesday at 5 p.m. to do so. Both sides have begun to fundraise for a possible challenge. 

On Tuesday, the McSally campaign issued a legal challenge in an attempt to stop the counting of provisional ballots, but the challenge was denied. More legal challenges will likely follow if a recount is triggered.