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A DFL state Senate candidate on Tuesday formally requested a recount in the race he lost by 148 votes, according to a Senate DFL spokeswoman.

Dan Wolgamott, a DFLer from St. Cloud, lost the open seat to Republican Jerry Relph by 148 votes, or less than a half one percent. The seat was left vacant by state Sen. John Pederson, R-St. Cloud, who retired after two terms.

"I request this hand-recount in order to ensure that our voting process was as fair and accurate as Minnesotans expect it to be," Wolgamott said in a statement.

The Senate DFL lost its majority in the chamber earlier this month in a surprising electoral defeat that saw Republicans regain total control of the Legislature. The ballot counting will begin Monday.