Longtime Smithtown Town Supervisor Pat Vecchio appeared to lose the Republican primary Tuesday to Councilman Ed Wehrheim, but only about 40 votes separate the two.

Vecchio launched a primary challenge when the Republican Party decided to throw its weight behind Wehrheim.

Vecchio told News 12 Long Island that a recount was likely, saying he understood there were about 450 absentee ballots.

“It’s still very close,” he said.

Wehrheim credited his team’s use of social media in his win.

“We reached out to a different segment of Smithtown Republicans,” said Weirheim.