WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Republican Rep. Allen West took the
first steps in a legal challenge Wednesday in his closely
watched re-election bid even as Democratic opponent Patrick
Murphy declared a razor-thin victory.  West, the south Florida
Republican who has made headlines nationally for his fiery tea
party rhetoric, filed motions asking a judge to require
elections officials to impound ballots and voting machines.
Separately, his campaign alleged ‘‘disturbing irregularities’’
at the polls and called for a recount.  The conservative
congressman refused to concede, but Murphy seized on the
projections of several news organizations, declaring himself the
victor after a long and often vicious campaign. It was unclear
what effect West’s actions could have on Murphy’s 2,456-vote
lead in the unofficial count, but the Republican’s hopes
appeared to be fading.  ‘‘You can always file a lawsuit,’’ said
constitutional lawyer Bob Jarvis of Nova Southeastern
University, ‘‘but I don’t see that as a viable option.’’