Harris Narrowly Trumps McCready, Wins Seat In US House

CHARLOTTE, NC — In what was one of the more dramatic races in North Carolina, Republican Mark Harris has declared victory in his bid for North Carolina’s 9th congressional district seat in the U.S. House, bringing in about 2,000 votes more than Democratic challenger Dan McCready.

As of midnight Nov. 6, the North Carolina’s 9th congressional district race was still too close to officially call. Republican Mark Harris had an unofficial lead of fewer than 2,000 votes as votes continued to trickle in, and had declared victory. McCready, however, did not concede.

By 1 a.m., all voting precincts had reported results, marking Harris as the winner, WFAE reported overnight. While McCready won Mecklenburg, Anson, Richmond, Scotland, Robeson and Cumberland counties, Harris was able

On a national level, Democrats need to flip 23 Republican-held seats in order to take control of the U.S. House, and two of the most competitive races are in North Carolina

, according to the New York Times. North Carolina's 9th District congressional seat was one seat Democrats had hoped that would happen.

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As of mid-October, McCready had well outpaced Harris in fundraising, bringing in about $4.8 million to his $1.8 million, according to OpenSecrets.org. In a national election largely seen as a referendum on President Trump, this matchup is where the rubber meets the road in the Tar Heel State. Trump has traveled to North Carolina twice in recent months to help Harris’ campaign, including a GOP fundraiser in August at Charlotte’s Carmel Country Club, as well as more recently on Oct. 26, when he held a rally at the Bojangles’ Coliseum.

The matchup between Harris and McCready sparked interest from around the country heading into Tuesday’s election.

“NC9th voters hopefully are disgusted by sleazy attack from desperate Dem McCready on @MarkHarrisNC9 and his Christian faith,” said former Arkansas governor and political commentator Mike Huckabee in a tweet.

NC 9th voters hopefully are disgusted by sleazy attack from desperate Dem McCready on @MarkHarrisNC9 and his Christian faith. Voters need to strongly reject religious bigotry and distortion of Biblical faith pushed by McCready. Vote @MarkHarrisNC9 for common decency!
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) November" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/GovMikeHuc... 5, 2018

Political commentator David Gergen, who has served in four presidential administrations for both Republicans and Democrats, said the NC-9th district race would be one he would closely. “Their victories would not only signal a blue wave. They would also be a sign we are electing veterans and leaders who can and will put country over party,” he said.

Below is a list of candidates in the 2018 Midterm Election on Mecklenburg County ballots. Results will be updated throughout the evening and winners will be marked with an X.

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Photo: People stand in line to vote on November 4, 2014, in Cotswold School's gymnasium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Americans head to the polls to cast their vote in the mid-term elections which will ultimately decide what party controls the U.S. Senate. (Photo by Davis Turner/Getty Images) (Photo by Davis Turner/Getty Images)