Republican congressional candidate David Harmer is asking supporters to contribute money to pay for a recount in his close battle with Democratic congressman Jerry McNerney.

Harmer wrote an e-mail from Washington, D.C., where he is attending a Republican orientation for new congressional members.

Harmer says he still hopes to become a member of the House. He notes California did not elect any new GOP congressional members on Nov. 2.

"The wave that swept the rest of the nation, resulting in well over 60 net new Republican seats, seems to have washed up against the eastern flank of the Sierra," Harmer wrote.

Harmer, a San Ramon attorney, says the 11th Congressional District is "still in play." He asks people to donate money to a recount fund and provides a link to that account.

Officials from the Harmer campaign were unavailable for comment.

As of Monday afternoon, the Secretary of State's website shows McNerney, the two-term incumbent from Pleasanton, leading Harmer by 1,688 votes. That is almost the same margin the Democrat held late last week.

McNerney has declared victory, saying it is unlikely Harmer can make up the difference with just a small portion of the provisional and mail-in ballots left to count in the four counties the district represents.