Tempel keeps Senate win after provisional vote count

Editor’s note: This version corrects misreporting that Tempel defeated Darrold Hutchinson in the primary for Senate District 14. Hutchinson ran for House District 27.

Although his opponent picked up a few voters in the count of some provisional ballots, incumbent Sen. Russ Tempel, R-Chester, still is the victor in the unofficial count of ballots in the race for the seat in Montana Senate District 14.

After 73 of the 140-some provisional ballots cast in the Nov. 6 election were certified and counted, Tempel had 4,562 votes to Havre Democrat Paul Tuss’ 4,394. That shrunk Tempel’s lead...