Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton finally won the popular vote in New Mexico's Democratic caucus and picked up one extra delegate, nine days after "Super Tuesday" voting ended.
State Democratic Chairman Brian Colon made the announcement after a marathon hand count of 17,000 provisional ballots that had to be given to voters on February 5 because of long lines and a shortage of ballots. The final statewide count gave her a 1,709-vote edge over rival Senator Barack Obama, 73,105 to 71,396.
The former first lady's victory in the popular vote swung the final unallocated New Mexico delegate into her column, which gave Clinton 14 delegates in the state to 12 for Obama.
With the addition of New Mexico's delegate, the national delegate count stood at 1,276 for Obama and 1,220 for Clinton.
"I am so proud to have earned the support of New Mexicans from across the state," Clinton said in a written statement. "New Mexicans want real solutions to our nation's challenges. As president, I will continue to stand up for New Mexico and will hit the ground running on day one to bring about real change."
The Obama campaign appeared to accept the outcome.
Obama's state director, Carlos Monje Jr, was asked if he was confident the results were 100 per cent accurate and replied, "We have confidence in the process."
Asked if Obama might seek a recount, he said Obama has momentum from eight wins since Super Tuesday's two-dozen contests and "we are going to look forward at the contests we have remaining.
{{/usCountry}}Asked if Obama might seek a recount, he said Obama has momentum from eight wins since Super Tuesday's two-dozen contests and "we are going to look forward at the contests we have remaining.
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