WASHINGTON _ North Carolina Rep. Robert Pittenger is the first incumbent of the 2018 cycle to lose, falling to former pastor Mark Harris in Tuesday's 9th District Republican primary.
Two years ago, Pittenger defeated Harris by just 134 votes in a recount.
In a district President Donald Trump carried by 12 points in 2016, Pittenger and Harris sparred over loyalty to the president.
After his close call two years ago, the incumbent seemed to be taking his re-election more seriously this year. His campaign had outspent Harris, as of the pre-primary reporting period. And Pittenger started earlier than he did two years ago. His campaign debuted a Christmas ad last year to try to undercut Harris' message.
Pittenger wasn't facing an FBI investigation that dogged him two years ago, when he was running in a newly redrawn district and had to introduce himself to new voters.
Harris could face a competitive general election against a Democratic recruit who's outraised Pittenger. Solar energy financier and Marine veteran Dan McCready easily won his primary Tuesday night.
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates the race Likely Republican.
