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Democratic candidate Cal Cunningham conceded Sen. Thom Tillis, RN.C., on Tuesday in the North Carolina Senate race, a week after voters went to the polls.
“I just called Senator Tillis to congratulate him on winning his re-election to a second term in the United States Senate and wish him and his family the best in their continued service in the months and years to come. Cunningham said in a statement.
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Tillis’ victory means Republicans are now taking the lead in the battle for the Senate, with the GOP holding 49 seats and the Democrats holding 48. There are three seats left: Alaska, where the Republicans lead, and Georgia, where there will be two rounds of voting elections in January. Republicans are looking for at least two of them to keep control.
Tillis had 48.72% of the vote compared to Democratic candidate Cal Cunningham’s 46.95% with almost 100% of constituencies declaring, according to the NC State Board of Elections website.
“Earlier this afternoon, Cal Cunningham called me to offer his concession,” Tillis said in a statement. “It has been a hard-fought campaign and I wish Cal and his family all the best.”
The close race received national attention.
“Obviously our race for the Senate is the most important. For a while this summer, it looked like Cunningham could get away with this thing, ”electoral policy analyst Andy Jackson of the conservative Civitas Institute told Fox News.
However, revelations that Cunningham, 47, had engaged in an extramarital affair gave Tillis a surprise advantage in October.
Democratic challenger Cal Cunningham, left, and U.S. Senator Thom Tillis, RN.C. greet each other after a televised debate on Thursday, October 1, 2020 in Raleigh, NC (AP Photo / Gerry Broome, Pool)
Cunningham, who is married, admitted to exchanging romantic texts with California woman Arlene Guzman Todd after the messages were leaked. Guzman Todd later told The Associated Press that they were having a physical affair.
Tillis, 60, had the odds on his side – North Carolina voters are “brutal” to their incumbent senators, dismissing nearly all modern senators after just one term, Jackson said.
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Tillis has struggled to generate enthusiasm from his Tory base, and his Democratic challenger Cal Cunningham has done better in the polls, Jackson said.
“Cunningham’s path was a lot simpler – catching those indecisive middle voters,” Jackson explained.
Fox News’ Mark Meredith contributed to this report.
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