Virginia’s State Board of Elections on Monday morning certified attorney Tom Perriello (D) as the winner by 745 votes in the highly competitive 5th district contest, although Rep. Virgil Goode (R-Va.) has yet to concede defeat.

The race was one of the closest of the 2008 cycle, and Goode’s narrow margin of defeat means the Congressman could still request a formal recount from the state.

In a statement Monday, Perriello spokeswoman Jessica Barba said that the campaign respected Goode’s right to seek a recount but that they were confident that one would not alter the outcome of the race.

“The official vote-canvassing process that took place in the days immediately following the election was extensive, thorough and overseen by representatives of both parties,” Barba said. “A retabulation of the results of the vote canvass will result in what the Virginia State Board of Elections certified today — that Tom Perriello has been elected as the new Congressman for the 5th district.”