Rep.-elect Murphy gives thanks for supporters

Rep.-elect Patrick Murphy thanked supporters three times over on Tuesday night, just a day after the results of his race were finalized to show him toppling Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.).

"Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful and I can say I am so grateful for all of you.  This has been an incredible journey and I am honored and excited to go to Washington to start moving Florida forward.  Thank you, thank you, thank you," he said in a release.

Murphy emerged victorious from a protracted legal fight launched by West to force a full recount of early voting in the race nearly two weeks after Election Day.

After finally receiving a recount of more than 37,000 ballots in one 18th district county, which failed to lessen Murphy's lead, West conceded early Tuesday.

Murphy had already declared victory, and attended orientation activities with other newly-elected lawmakers last week.

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