It's official: Republican Dan Neil has filed a request with the secretary of state for a recount in House District 48. Neil failed to take the seat in the Nov. 2 elections from incumbent Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin.

So when did Neil tell Howard about his challenge? "He didn't," said the incumbent, who only found out when Neil contacted the KXAN-TV newsdesk. "My campaign people and his campaign people and lawyers were at the Travis County court house today going over some of the ballots that Dan Neil's people have filed an open records request about."

It's about as last minute a decision by the Republican challenger as possible. Neil only had until two business days after the final results were canvassed by the state on Monday to lodge the complaint. However, with a 16 vote difference, and Republicans hungrily eying a district that could give them a 100 super-majority in the next session, it's not that surprising. Neil had also tipped his hand earlier this week by announcing that he was looking for donations to his legal fund.

According to Howard, the secretary of state has seven days to accept the request so, she said, "More than likely it will be middle of next week when they start the recount."