After a recount of the votes cast in the Jan. 8 special election for state senator for the 6th District, on Monday a special three-judge panel appointed by the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia has certified Democrat Lynwood Lewis as the winner.

The 6th District includes all of Mathews County as well as parts of Norfolk, Virginia Beach and the Eastern Shore. The three-judge panel sat in Accomack County Circuit Court.

While he had initially beaten Republican Wayne Coleman by a slim nine-vote margin, after the recount Lewis widened his lead to 11 votes, with Coleman receiving 10,192 votes and Lewis receiving 10,203 votes.

In a statement on his website, Lewis thanked all his supporters, as well as election officials and volunteers. He said he had enjoyed his service in the House of Delegates but looked forward to “getting to work for the people of the 6th District.” He said his door is open to those who didn’t vote for him ...