RICHMOND, Va. — A Republican has won a Virginia state House of Delegates race so close that its outcome was determined by pulling the candidate’s name out of a bowl.

Del. David Yancey was named the winner of the 94th District on Thursday by the Virginia State Board of Elections.

The race between the three-term incumbent and Democratic challenger Shelly Simonds has bounced back and forth since the November election. Yancey appeared to have won by 10 votes, but on Dec. 19 Simonds won a recount by a single vote. The next day, a three-judge panel declared a tie based on a previously uncounted vote for Yancey.

The win by Yancey leaves Republicans clinging to a slim 51-49 majority over Democrats in the House. A lawsuit is pending over the results of another House race in northern Virginia and Simonds could ask for another recount.

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The winner of Virginia's closely watched legislative race will be determined today.

A court denied candidate Shelly Simonds requests  to toss out a disputed ballot that brought the House District contest to a tie.

RELATED | After GOP challenge, control of Virginia's legislature to be chosen by 'drawing lots'

Virginia election officials will conduct a blind drawing to select the name of either Simonds or Republican incumbent David Yancey.

The lottery could break the GOP’s 18-year hold on the state House of Delegates.

But a final resolution could still be far away.

The loser could call for a second recount or ask the House to pick a winner.