Embattled Rep. Madison Cawthorn conceded to Chuck Edwards in the congressional primary in western North Carolina that's attracted national attention.
Edwards is leading Cawthorn at the polls by more than 1,500 votes as of about 11 p.m. with 99.6% of precincts reporting, according to unofficial results from the North Carolina State Board of Elections.
Jasmine Beach-Ferrara won the Democratic primary, with about 60% of the vote as of 10 p.m.
Cawthorn’s reelection campaign has faced a string of problems, including questions about campaign finances and Cawthorn being cited by police recently for trying to bring a loaded gun through airport security in Charlotte and for driving with a revoked license.
Most of North Carolina’s top Republicans, including Sen. Thom Tillis and GOP leaders in the General Assembly, endorsed Edwards in the race.
The balance of power in Washington D.C. could depend on how North Carolina voters swing in just a handful of elections in November.
Cawthorn conceded without making a statement Tuesday night.
"This is simply incredible," Edwards said after most of the results were in. "Against all odds, we fought hard to win this election and provide clear conservative leadership for the mountains."
"Now, we will harness this energy, come together as a party, and keep this seat in Republican hands in November. My campaign has been about staying true to mountain values and delivering real results for Western North Carolina, and that is exactly what I intend to do,” he said in a statement
Rep. Virginia Foxx won the Republican primary in the 5th District. She has represented the northwest corner of North Carolina since 2005.
Foxx will face Democrat Kyle Parrish in the November General Election. There was no primary for the Democrats since only one candidate filed for the district.
The 5th District runs from the Tennessee border to Winston-Salem. It’s an overwhelmingly Red district and Foxx is likely to keep her job in the House for another two years.