Close political races of the past

A look at politicians who eked out wins over their competitors.

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Oct. 17, 2000

Then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush, left, speaks as Democratic presidential candidate and then-Vice President Al Gore listens, during a debate at Washington University in St. Louis. The race between Bush and Gore was ultimately decided in the Supreme Court, amid contested recounts of an extremely close vote in Florida.

Eric Gay / AP

June 30, 2009

U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) and his wife, Franni, wave to supporters outside their home in Minneapolis, after the Minnesota Supreme Court upheld Franken's 312-vote victory over incumbent Norm Coleman.

Eric Miller / Reuters

Sept. 17, 2009

Before becoming governor of Virginia, Robert F. McDonnell was the state's attorney general. McDonnell was elected to that position by 360 votes.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Oct. 1, 2008

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire, left, and Republican challenger Dino Rossi shake hands following their debate at the Capitol Theatre in Yakima, Wash. A recount of votes during the election went in Gregoire's favor, showing that she beat Rossi by 129 votes.

Kris Holland / AP

Nov. 7, 2000

Rep. Frank McCloskey (D-Ind.), who died on Nov. 2, 2003, was reelected in 1984 by just four votes, after a controversial recount.

David Snodgress / AP

Nov. 3, 1998

Lee Fisher, at right holding his daughter, was elected attorney general of Ohio in 1990. A recount was needed to determine the winner of the race.

Gary Harwood / Reuters

Nov. 8, 2000

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) speaks at a news conference in Shoreline, Wash. Cantwell, a dot-com millionaire who financed her own campaign, defeated veteran Republican Sen. Slade Gorton by 2,229 votes.

Elaine Thompson / AP

Nov. 3, 2000

Former Rep. Sam Gejdenson (D-Conn.), right, was reelected in 1994 by a 21-vote margin.

Carla M. Cataldi / AP

Nov. 1, 2002

Former Rep. Bob Beauprez (R-Colo.) beat his Democratic opponent by 121 votes in 2002.

Jack Dempsey / AP

May 31, 1979

John A. Durkin (D-N.H.) was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1974. A close general election that included recounts and congressional appeals led to a special election, in which Durkin decisively claimed victory by more than 27,000 votes.

C. Harrity / AP

Nov. 4, 1964

President Lyndon B. Johnson stands with his hands folded as his wife, Lady Bird Johnson, second from right, and daughter, Lynda Bird, right, acknowledge cheers of crowds. Before becoming president, Johnson earned the ironic nickname Landslide Lyndon for his razor-thin, 87-vote victory in a primary for one of Texas’s two Senate seats.

/ AP

President Grover Cleveland won the popular vote in 1884 by just one-quarter of a percentage point.

FEATURED PHOTO GALLERIES

BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 18: Jockey Gary Stevens rides Oxbow out to the front of the pack on the first straight away during the 138th Running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Md., on Saturday, May 18, 2013. (Photo by Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post)

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Graduating students' with rain soaked mortar boards from a driving rain, listen as US President Barack Obama delivers the commencement address during a ceremony at Morehouse College on May 19, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGANMANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images

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President Obama gets personal about race and manhood in a speech to graduates of historically black Morehouse College.

LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 19: Singer Taylor Swift accepts the award for 'Top Billboard 200 Album' onstage during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 19, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

The 2013 Billboard Music Awards red carpet and ceremony

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New York Yankees' Travis Hafner bats during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Sunday, May 12, 2013, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 13: Many seminary graduates are choosing not to become pastors. Rebecca J. Cole received her Master of Divinity and is becoming a community organizer on Capitol Hill. She hugs another graduate after the ceremony. The 2013 Commencement ceremony for Wesley Theological Seminary was held on May 13 at the Washington National Cathedral. (Photo by Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post)

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epa03704474 A Muslim woman at the ThetKalPyin temporary relief camp near Sittwe in Rakhine State, Western Myanmar, 17 May 2013. A total of 13 people were confirmed dead in neighboring Bangladesh as people began to return home from shelters, a day after Cyclone Mahasen hit the coast, officials said 17 May. EPA/NYEIN CHAN NAING

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 16: American Idol Season 12 Winner Candice Glover (C) is seen onstage during Fox's 'American Idol 2013' Finale Results Show at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on May 16, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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US actress Claire Julien smiles on May 16, 2013 while posing during a photocall for the film 'The Bling Ring' at the 66th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes. Cannes, one of the world's top film festivals, opened on May 15 and will climax on May 26 with awards selected by a jury headed this year by Hollywood legend Steven Spielberg. AFP PHOTO / ALBERTO PIZZOLI (Photo credit should read ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images)

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