This is a pretty close race.  While Brad Klippert is already considering his “mandate”:

Klippert viewed his narrow lead not only as a victory, but also a mandate to take the conservative ideology that formed the foundation of his campaign.

The Army National Guard reservist and Benton County sheriff’s deputy campaigned on a socially and fiscally conservative platform that included positions against abortion, gay marriage and wasteful state spending.

“I’m not surprised,” Klippert said. “For the most part, the 8th District has traditional conservative values. I think people voted for my message, the values and principles I stood for.”

With 25,000 ballots left to be reported, that might be a little over confident.