Steve Eagleton, a Kirkwood developer seeking the 15th District state Senate seat, says that the state Senate Democratic leadership has told him not to go ahead with his request for a recount.

Eagleton lost on Tuesday by 35 votes to fellow Democrat James Trout, a Webster Groves builder. The victor will face Republican Eric Schmitt.

Eagleton said his campaign manager, Jordan Kadosh, received a call from Matt Lieberman, a Democratic operative, who according to Eagleton, “said he did not think it was smart to ask for a recount.”

“It makes logical sense to do it,” said Eagleton, in his defense. “I think I owe it to the district and to the voters.”

Eagleton said that he’s gotten “overwhelming calls” from supporters beseeching him to seek a recount, since more than 11,000 votes were cast in the contest.

“The sad thing is, it’s going to take so long,” he added.

Under state law, St. Louis County will have two weeks to certify the election results. The Secretary of State then has two weeks to follow suit. Only then, can Eagleton or anyone else ask for a recount.

The same holds for state Rep. Margaret Donnelly, D-Richmond Heights, who at last count lost by 786 votes on Tuesday to state Sen. Chris Koster, D-Raymore, in the statewide Democratic contest for attorney general. The victor faces state Sen. Mike Gibbons, R-Kirkwood.