Democrat Dan McCready conceded defeat to Mark Harris (R) in North Carolina’s 9th District late on Wednesday, according to local media reports.
Harris, a pastor, will now ascend to the House after knocking off Rep. Mark Pittenger in a GOP primary earlier this year.
Harris previously ran for the seat in 2016 but lost in the primary.
He toppled Pittenger earlier this year, and emerged victorious in a tight general election even as McCready out-fundraised and outspent him by a wide margin.
The race was rated a “toss-up” by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.
{mosads}The pastor became a source of controversy during the general election campaign after media reports uncovered controversial comments about women and Islam during his Baptist services.
President Trump stumped for Harris during a campaign rally in Charlotte late last month.
Democrats had eyed the 9th District as a potential chance to flip a GOP-held seat thanks to excitement surrounding McCready, a small-business owner and veteran.
The district mostly runs along the North Carolina-South Carolina border.