HELENA (AP) — Ken Toole prevailed over Mike Taylor on Monday in a recount of votes for a seat on the Montana Public Service Commission, making the Democratic Party dominant on the board, which regulates utilities.

With ballots recounted in the six counties where the men vied for election, Toole had 40,198 votes and Taylor 40,017 — a difference of 181 votes. Taylor requested the recount after a tally of ballots in the Nov. 7 election found him trailing Toole by just 190 votes out of 80,086 cast.

‘‘I congratulate him on the win,’’ Taylor said Monday. ‘‘I’m glad to see that democracy is still important and the recounts are verified.’’

Taylor said he believes his campaign was hurt by provisional ballots cast on Election Day and by negative radio ads run in the Flathead Valley and Shelby.

‘‘People talk about not wanting (negative campaigning),’’ Taylor said. ‘‘But when it comes down to it, it seems that’s what it takes to win.’’

Toole did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

Taylor and Toole ran to succeed Tom Schneider on the PSC. Schneider did not seek re-election as the commissioner representing the counties of Lewis and Clark, Lake, Teton, Flathead, Pondera and Glacier. In the other PSC election last month, incumbent Greg Jergeson ran unopposed.

Toole, 51, a Democrat from Helena, is a legislator and is on the staff of the Montana Human Rights Network. Taylor, 65, a Republican from Proctor, is a businessman, rancher and former legislator.

In campaigning, both said they wanted to work on behalf of consumers. Toole advocated regulation. Taylor, a Republican, said he leaned toward a free-enterprise approach to advance consumer interests.

Recount results by county:

Pondera — Toole 1,130, Taylor 1,396

Flathead — Toole 13,723, Taylor 18,948

Lewis and Clark — Toole 15,953, Taylor 10,833

Glacier — Toole 2,868, Taylor 1,438

Teton — Toole 1,232, Taylor 1,673

Lake — Toole 5,292, Taylor 5,729

Certification of the vote rests with the Board of Canvassers, scheduled to meet Thursday in Helena.