Could it be recounted? AP "uncalls" 6th Congressional race because it's within recount margin

MADISON (WITI/AP) -- One state senator leads another by only 214 votes in the Republican primary for Wisconsin's lone open congressional seat, a margin that would allow a free recount.

The Associated Press called the race for Glenn Grothman on Tuesday night but uncalled it Wednesday after more votes came in for Joe Leibham and the margin shrank.

Grothman was leading Leibham by just three-tenths of a percentage point Wednesday morning. Some absentee ballots could be counted if they were postmarked in time.

Wisconsin law lets any candidate request a recount. But, candidates pay based on the margin. In the congressional race, the recount would be free if the margin is one-half of a percentage point or less.

Three Republican candidates faced off in the 6th Congressional District -- which includes a large section of eastern Wisconsin.

State Representative Duey Stroebel, State Senator Glenn Grothman and State Senator Joe Leibham are all ran -- hoping to make the November ballot.

Grothman on Tuesday night was declared the winner in the hard-fought primary race to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Tom Petri.

Grothman presented himself to voters as one of the hardest-working lawmakers in the Legislature, with 60 bills signed into law by Republican. Gov. Walker.

He was known even before the campaign as an outspoken critic of affirmative action, welfare benefits, early sex education and abortion. He has opposed the Common Core education standards adopted by Wisconsin and other states and one of his campaign goals is to abolish the U.S. Department of Education.

Whoever is officially declared the winner will face Winnebago County executive Mark Harris, a Democrat, and Libertarian Gus Fahrendorf in the general election.

Standing on the front lawn of his parent's home in Sheboygan, Joe Liebham announced his candidacy.

"Today, I proudly announce my candidacy for Wisconsin's 6th Congressional District, with the goal of earning the opportunity to serve as your representative and your reformer in Congress," Liebham said.

The 44-year-old state senator will run as a "reformer" largely on his experience in the Wisconsin Senate during the contentious labor fight of 2011.

"I was on the front line with Governor Walker as we went about an effort to boldly reform our state," Liebham said.

Petri has held the 6th Congressional District seat since 1979. He has announced his retirement.

"No time is perfect, but this was a pretty good time," Petri said.

The 6th Congressional District stretches across 11 counties -- including Milwaukee, Ozaukee and Sheboygan.

State Sen. Glenn Grothman rattled the race when he announced his candidacy.

"There are big problems in Washington and it seems there are not enough people there to shake things up. I'm not somebody who waited for Congressman Petri to try to leave. I felt Congressman Petri was part of the problem, which is why I got in when I did," Grothman said.

State Rep. Duey Stroebel authored one of the last legislative session's most controversial bills, limiting early voting.

"On Election Day, it's standardized. We know when it starts, we know when it ends," Stroebel said.

Stroebel calls himself a "citizen legislator."

In a statement to FOX6 News, he says of Liebham and Grothman: "They've spent decades in government and I don't think conservatives should trade one career politician for another. Congress needs an outsider's perspective."

All of the candidates have conservative credentials, and Liebham suggested it may come down to the politics of personality.

"Through my personality, I was respectful of people and let them know I was interested in their thoughts," Liebham said.

"I think I get along with people. I think Joe's a very nice person. His parents are wonderful, his siblings are wonderful, but I don't think Joe has been as much of a fighter. You can be nice and a fighter at the same time," Grothman said.

Grothman issued the following statement on this race on Wednesday afternoon:

“I’m honored that the voters chose me as the Republican nominee for the 6th Congressional District. I’m confident that the lead we have today will hold strong and I look forward to a speedy certification of the results, a robust general election campaign and another victory on November 4.”