FRESNO, Calif. _ Republican Rep. David Valadao has conceded to Democrat TJ Cox in the race for Valadao's seat in California's 21st Congressional District.
Valadao called Cox to concede Thursday and released a statement, saying "representing the Central Valley in Congress has been the honor of a lifetime."
Cox's campaign confirmed Valadao's concession in its own statement.
"I thanked Congressman Valadao and his family for their service to our country and our communities during the past six years," Cox, of Fresno, said. "We will work together to ensure a smooth transition for our constituents."
Valadao, of Hanford, was almost 5,000 votes ahead of Cox on election night, but late returns caught up with the three-term congressman _ as they did for six of his fellow California Republicans. With the certification of elections in Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Kern counties this week, the final margin appears to be 862 votes _ less than 1 percentage point _ in Cox's favor.
Cox marks the Democrats' 40th congressional seat picked up in the 2018 election.
