CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) _ The former North Carolina Republican congressman for a district where a re-do election will be held because of evidence of illegal absentee ballot manipulation in the fall has endorsed a potential successor. 

• Pittenger confirmed Tuesday he backs former Mecklenburg County Commissioner Matthew Ridenhour
• Pittenger lost to Mark Harris in last spring's GOP primary
• MORE: Full Distict 9 Investigation Coverage

Ex-Rep. Robert Pittenger confirmed Tuesday he backs former Mecklenburg County Commissioner Matthew Ridenhour, one of 10 candidates running in May's Republican primary in the 9th District. 

Pittenger lost to Mark Harris in last spring's GOP primary. Several people working for Harris' campaign were indicted last month involving ballot handling during that primary. 

Neither Pittenger nor Harris is running in the new election. Dan McCready ran second to Harris in November and is the only Democrat in the new election.