Jamestown Sen. David Nething, who is North Dakota's longest-serving state lawmaker, won another term after a recount of his re-election race gave him an eight-vote victory.

Nething, a Republican, defeated Democrat John Grabinger, 2,974 to 2,966, when the recount was completed Friday. "Eight wonderful votes," Nething said afterward.

Going into Friday's recount, Nething had a 12-vote lead.

Among the legislative races decided this month, the Nething-Grabinger contest in Jamestown's District 12 was the only recount required by North Dakota law. Nething's victory means Republicans will hold a 26-21 Senate advantage during the 2009 Legislature.

Jamie Selzler, the state Democratic Party director, said Democrats would not seek recounts in three other North Dakota House races that were close enough to give the losing candidates the option of asking for one if they were willing to pay for it.

Nething, 75, a retired attorney, was first elected to the Senate in 1966. He has served as the Republican Senate majority leader and sought the GOP endorsement for governor during his career. He is a former president of the National Conference of State Legislatures, a group that represents state lawmakers across the country.

He and Grabinger personally observed the recount, which took all day Friday. Observers said 105 ballots were challenged. Fifty-four went to Grabinger and 48 to Nething, while three were disqualified because they were not initialed by an election worker.

"It was kind of like a roller coaster," Nething said. "You get to thinking about things … It was a long day."

Jamie Selzler, the state Democratic director, said there was no dispute about how any of the 105 ballots were to be counted. They were examined by a three-person recount board, made up of Mark Klose, chairman of the Stutsman County Commission; county recorder Karen Samek; and Fritz Fremgen, the state's attorney.

Nething said he was impressed by how the recount was conducted, calling it "quite amicable."

Selzler said Democrats would not request recounts in state House races in District 6, in north-central North Dakota; District 10, in the state's northeastern corner; or District 22, which includes most of rural Cass County.

In North Dakota House races, two Republicans and two Democrats compete for the district's two House seats.

In District 6, incumbent Republican Glen Froseth finished 71 votes ahead of Democrat Christine Peterson for the district's second House seat. Incumbent Democratic Rep. Bob Hunskor was the top vote-getter. The district includes Bottineau and Renville counties and part of rural Ward County.

In District 10, incumbent Republican Chuck Damschen was 21 votes in front of Democrat Kathy Stremick for the second House seat. Another incumbent Republican, David Monson, finished first. The district includes Cavalier County and most of Pembina and Towner counties.

In District 22, Rep. Vonnie Pietsch, R-Casselton, won re-election by 91 votes over Democrat Keith Gohdes. Rep. Wes Belter, R-Leonard, finished first.