Democrats have claimed 10 of 14 U.S. House seats in a major state race, with five Republican incumbents holding onto razor-thin leads as vote counts finalize Friday afternoon.
All precincts reported hours after polls closed, but no consensus winner has been declared in five congressional races and one state Senate seat.
No Republican has been called a winner in any of the 14 congressional races. Nine Democrats have been declared winners by multiple media outlets.
Four Republican incumbents lead by narrow margins:
Rep. Dr. Greg Murphy holds a 233-vote lead over Democratic challenger Dr. Raymond Smith in the 3rd Congressional District — 237,904 ballots counted.
Rep. David Rouzer leads Democratic challenger Kimberly Hardy by 2,425 votes in the 7th Congressional District — 320,680 ballots counted.
Rep. Rev. Mark Harris holds a 5,179-vote advantage over Democratic challenger Colby Watson in the 8th Congressional District — 291,899 ballots counted.
Rep. Pat Harrigan leads Democratic challenger Ashley Bell by 3,029 votes in the 10th Congressional District — 293,976 ballots counted.
In the 5th Congressional District, Republican incumbent Rep. Virginia Foxx trails Democratic challenger Chuck Hubbard by 99 votes — 285,498 ballots counted.
“No Republican has been called a winner in the congressional races. Nine Democrats have been declared winners by multiple media outlets.”
Already declared winners for the U.S. House include Democratic incumbent Reps. Don Davis (1st District), Deborah Ross (2nd), Valerie Foushee (4th), and Alma Adams (12th).
Democratic challengers who secured seats: Cyril Jefferson (6th District), retired Army Maj. Richard Ojeda (9th), Jamie Ager (11th), Paul Barringer (13th), and Lakesha Womack (14th).
In the state Senate, Republican incumbent Sen. Danny Britt Jr. clings to a 268-vote lead over Democratic challenger Catina Hamm in District 24 — 55,452 ballots counted.
Five state House races remain uncalled, with Democrats leading all five:
District 9: Democratic challenger Claire Kempner leads incumbent Republican Rep. Dr. Tim Reeder by 175 votes (36,199 ballots).
District 20: Democratic challenger Tim Merrick leads Republican Dane Scalise by 101 votes (44,007 ballots).
District 62: Democratic challenger Shelly Headen leads incumbent Republican Rep. John Blust by 233 votes (42,501 ballots).
District 63: Democratic challenger Ian Baltutis leads incumbent Republican Rep. Ryan Moffitt by 236 votes (32,722 ballots).
District 93: Democratic challenger Charlie Wallin leads incumbent Republican Rep. Ray Pickett by 228 votes (37,522 ballots).
County canvass happens Friday of next week, with the state canvass scheduled for Nov. 24.
Legal changes to vote totals can still occur. Additions come from provisional ballots cast by eligible voters, absentee ballots that have been cured, and mailed military and overseas voters’ ballots received after Election Day but before 5 p.m. Nov. 12.
More than 36,000 provisional ballots have been considered from early in-person voting and Election Day voting. The total does not yet reflect overseas and military absentee voting.
For a statewide ballot item, the difference triggering a recount is ½ of 1% of votes cast, or 10,000 votes — whichever is fewer. For nonstatewide ballot items, the threshold is 1% or less of total votes cast.
The deadline to request a recount is 5 p.m. Nov. 16 for counties, and noon Nov. 17 for jurisdictions by the state board.
