NORTH CAROLINA -- Voters in North Carolina's 9th Congressional District went to the polls Tuesday and a day later it became official that Mark Harris will represent the district after Dan McCready's concession.

• Harris was ahead of McCready by less than 2,000 votes
• McCready won in big counties
• Harris declared victory before McCready conceded

The match up between McCready and Harris was one of the state's most watched congressional races. Harris was ahead of McCready by less than 2,000 votes. Despite McCready winning big counties like Mecklenburg and Cumberland, Harris swept both Union and Bladen counties Tuesday night which put him over the top. 

During McCready's concession announcement he said the the journey he decided to go on to move the country forward was an honor.

"Let's be proud today of what we did together," McCready said. "We may not have won this campaign, but that does not mean we were wrong."

During a press conference just before McCready's announcement, Harris said he was ready to move forward and had already planned to attend the "new member orientation" for elected Congress members. 

“We knew it was going to be a tight race. Both camps did. But after all the votes were counted, the result showed a clear win for team Harris,” he said.

After McCready conceded, Harris released the following statement: 

"Late this afternoon I received a call from Dan McCready congratulating us on our victory in the Ninth District.  It was a very friendly discussion during which we both agreed to find ways to work together in the weeks and months ahead.

As someone who has been on the other side of close races, I appreciate Dan's graciousness today.  He ran a spirited campaign and I have no doubt as to his love of country.  I look forward to sitting down with him to discuss ways we can work together for the betterment of the Ninth District."

Harris delivered a victory speech Tuesday night.

Harris lost by 180 votes when he ran against Robert Pittenger back in 2016. Earlier this year during the primaries, Harris won the Republican nomination for the district over Pittenger. He says he has an idea of what the McCready camp is going through.

About Mark Harris:

Republican Mark Harris was born and raised in Winston-Salem. He had his career path set when he went to Appalachian State University and had plans to attend law school. Instead, went he went into the ministry.

“It has allowed me the privilege of walking through life with people. It has allowed me to serve people of all socio-economic backgrounds, all educational backgrounds, all races, all perspectives, even all world views. Being able to work with people from great diversity and to know that they can unite and come together for a cause bigger than themselves, that is an incredible blessing.” he said.

To learn more about Mark Harris, you can visit his website.