ELECTION 2020-SENATE-NORTH CAROLINA

Tillis-Cunningham US Senate race too early to call

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race between Republican incumbent Thom Tillis and Democratic challenger Cal Cunningham is too early to call, with many votes yet to be counted. Tillis led Cunningham by nearly 97,000 votes from among more than 5.4 million votes counted through early Wednesday. There were still outstanding mail-in absentee ballots and an unknown number of provisional ballots cast. Tillis celebrated what he called a victory in a speech to supporters Tuesday night. The Associated Press hasn’t yet declared a winner in the race. Cunningham didn’t say anything publicly immediately about the unofficial results.

ELECTION 2020-LEGISLATURE-NORTH CAROLINA

Republicans keep control of N. Carolina legislative chambers

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Republicans have withstood a massive effort by Democrats to retake both General Assembly chambers. Election results showed GOP legislators winning majorities in the 50-seat Senate and 120-seat House so the party can extend control there for another two years. Democrats had been on a multimillion-dollar spending push to win several additional seats in each chamber and flip power. The GOP majorities mean Republicans will be able in 2021 to redraw district maps for the next decade based on new census figures. And they’ll be able to preserve their decade-long agenda on taxes, regulations and social issues.

ELECTION 2020-GOVERNOR-NORTH CAROLINA

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper wins reelection

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has been reelected, defeating Republican challenger Lt. Gov. Dan Forest. The mild-mannered governor has often been reluctant to criticize President Donald Trump. He has been generally praised for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic. However, some complained he was slow to reopen K-12 public schools and certain parts of the economy. Forest often criticized the shuttering of small businesses, including bars, bowling alleys and gyms.

ELECTION 2020-NEWS GUIDE-NORTH CAROLINA

A guide to key down-ballot North Carolina races

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Democrats flipped two open U.S. House seats that they had been favored to win in North Carolina on Tuesday while Republicans defended two seats that had turned into competitive races, leaving the state’s congressional delegation with an 8-5 split in favor of the GOP.  The congressional races were among key down-ballot races that also included contests that were determining the power balance in the state’s legislature. Republicans maintained control of both legislative chambers.

ELECTION 2020-PROTESTERS ARRESTED

Police: 6 arrested in Election Day protest in North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Police say six people were arrested in North Carolina’s capital city when a crowd of protesters marching on Election Day began throwing rocks and other items. The Raleigh Police Department said in a statement that that arrests happened in the city around 9:45 p.m. Tuesday night. The News & Observer reports protesters were carrying signs that read “Whoever wins we lose,” in reference to the 2020 elections, and yelling “Abolish R.P.D.” Police say officers notified protesters that the gathering had become an unlawful assembly when the crowd began engaging in “unlawful activities.” The charges against those arrested includes assault on a law enforcement officer and disorderly conduct.

ELECTION 2020-HOUSE-NORTH CAROLINA

GOP star Madison Cawthorn wins North Carolina US House race

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Young rising GOP star Madison Cawthorn has been elected to represent a North Carolina U.S. House district. The 25-year-old’s win in the 11th Congressional District allows him to fill a vacant seat previously held by Republican Rep. Mark Meadows. Meadows left to serve as President Donald Trump’s chief of staff. Cawthorn defeated Democrat and retired U.S. Air Force Col. Moe Davis. Cawthorn will be one of the youngest people to ever serve in the U.S. Congress. He first drew attention after defeating Trump’s preferred candidate in an upset in the June GOP primary runoff.

ELECTION 2020-HOUSE 8-NORTH CAROLINA

North Carolina Republican US Rep. Richard Hudson reelected

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Republican U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson has won reelection to his North Carolina seat in a district that runs through several southern counties. Despite a mandated redrawing of the state’s congressional map that made the race more competitive, the ally of President Donald Trump won the Republican-leaning 8th Congressional District that is located in the southern portion of the state and includes the city of Concord.  His challenger, Democrat Patricia Timmons-Goodson, had served on North Carolina’s state Supreme Court. Hudson assumed office in 2013 and won his past reelection efforts handily. The closely contested race had included a barrage of television ads from both sides.

ELECTION 2020-HOUSE 2-NORTH CAROLINA

Deborah Ross wins open US House seat in North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Democrat Deborah Ross has been elected to an open U.S. House seat in North Carolina over Republican Alan Swain. The outcome in the Raleigh-area district was influenced by a court order that required the state to redraw its congressional map ahead of the 2020 election. The new boundaries in the district were expected to favor Democrats and narrow the GOP’s majority in the state’s congressional delegation. It represented the second district Democrats picked up on Tuesday, giving them five of the state’s 13 U.S. House seats. The seat was previously held by Republican Rep. George Holding, who announced his retirement last year.

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