As ballot counting wrapped up Tuesday night, Dave Upthegrove appeared to have edged out Sue Kuehl Pederson by just 51 votes – of 1.9 million cast – for second place in the Washington state lands commissioner primary.

The race for Washington's commissioner of public lands is headed to a recount, with only 51 votes separating the second- and third-place finishers in results from the Aug. 6 primary. Why it matters: The recount will decide whether a Democrat will squeak through to the general election, or whether two Republicans will face off in November.

The race for the second spot to advance to the general election for Washington's Lands Commissioner remains too close to call and is going to an automatic recount.