RACINE, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin state Sen. Van Wanggaard has decided not to challenge his loss in last month's recall election, and is conceding the race to his Democratic rival.

Wanggaard, a Republican, lost to John Lehman by 819 votes, or about 1 percent of the nearly 72,000 ballots cast June 5. Wanggaard demanded a recount, which affirmed his loss.

Wanggaard had until Tuesday to file a challenge. His campaign chose not to, clearing the way for state election officials to certify the race Wednesday morning and make the outcome official.

With the win, Democrats will now have a 17-16 edge in the state Senate. However, their majority may be short lived.

Sixteen senators are up for election this fall. Those races will determine which party has control over the next two years.

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STORY FROM 7/1/12
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The recount in a Republican state senator's recall race will wrap up soon, but that doesn't mean the partisan battle will be over.

Gov. Scott Walker called for better relations between the parties after his recall win. But that idea could suffer because of a fight over who'll control the state Senate.

Democratic challenger John Lehman has an 834-vote lead in the recall race to oust GOP state Sen. Van Wanggaard. A recount is expected to conclude Monday.

But Republicans are threatening a lawsuit because some voters who registered at the polls failed to sign a poll list. A lawsuit could drag out the process for months.

A Lehman win would give Democrats a 17-16 edge in the Senate. However, 16 senators are up for election in the fall.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)