State Rep. Margaret Donnelly, the Democratic runner-up in that party’s photo-finish primary contest Aug. 5 for Missouri attorney general, today announced that she’ll definitely seek a recount.

Donnelly, of Richmond Heights, lost to state Sen. Chris Koster, D-Raymore, by 794 votes out of roughly 346,000 votes cast. Koster’s victory percentage is 0.2 percent.

The results are still unofficial until they are certified by the Secretary of State’s office, which must be completed in the next few weeks.

Said Donnelly’s release: “With the smallest margin in a statewide race in Missouri history, a one-vote swing in as few as 25% of the precincts in the state would result in a Donnelly victory.

“ ‘Voting is the heart of the democratic process, and we are pursuing a recount as that is the fairest way possible to make sure the people’s voice through the election is most accurately heard,’ Donnelly said. ‘I have received encouragement to pursue the recount from an overwhelming number of Democratic primary voters. At this stage the recount becomes a legal procedure.’ ”

She has hired the Kansas City law firm of Lathrop & Gage L.C., an interesting choice since the firm has close ties to Gov. Matt Blunt, a Republican.

Donnelly said that lawyer Richard Rhyne of the firm’s Kansas City office “has served as chair of the Donnelly for Attorney General Greater Kansas City-Area Steering Committee, and has handled election recount matters in his legal practice.

“Lathrop & Gage has handled election recounts like this many times before,” Donnelly said.

Koster issued a statement saying he had no objections (and likely expected the recount):

“Representative Donnelly and her supporters ran a tremendous race. It is within her right to verify the election’s results. We remain confident that our campaign is on the path to victory in November, and I will continue to travel to every corner of Missouri to talk about my law enforcement experience and the issues that matter most to working families.”