WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The race for state Senate in Whatcom County is set.

Michael Shepard edged Eamonn Collins by just four votes for second place in the primary after staff at the county elections office finished the mandatory hand recount on Wednesday, Aug. 26.

The recount, which took just over a day, matched the previous machine count exactly.

The Whatcom County Canvassing Board will certify results from the recount at 9 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 31.

Shepard, a Democrat, currently holds a seat on the Port of Bellingham Board of Commissioners and teaches at Western Washington University.

He’ll now face Republican Erika Creydt this November in the race to replace Sharon Shewmake as state senator in the 42nd Legislative District.