OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A tight race for a state spot on the November ballot has been decided nearly a month after the August primary.

The Secretary of State certified that Democrat Dave Upthegrove will face off against Republican Jaime Herrera Beutler for the Public Lands Commissioner position.

A mandatory hand recount found that Upthegrove narrowly beat out challenger Sue Kuehl Pederson for the ballot spot by just 53 votes.

The recount was ordered after Upthegrove posted an even smaller lead immediately following the primary.