CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The race for U.S. senator in North Carolina between incumbent Republican Sen. Thom Tillis and Democratic challenger Cal Cunningham remains unsettled, with three precincts in the state still not reported just before midnight. No elections official nor the Associated Press, as of 11:57 p.m., Tuesday, had called the race.
Still, while holding a tentative lead over his opponent, Tillis declared victory at an election night watch party in Mooresville late Tuesday.
"What we accomplished tonight was a stunning victory," he said.
Supporters cheered as he approached the stage chanting "six more years." Tillis thanked his wife and said he will ensure schools and businesses can open, before praising Trump.
"We're going to make sure that we kill this virus and what it's done to this great nation," he said.
Tillis added that he had not heard from Cunningham.
At 11:59 p.m., Tillis was ahead with 48.73% of the vote. Cunningham had 46.95%. More than 5.4 million ballots were cast and the state elections board website showed 99.96% of precincts counted. Election results on Tuesday are unofficial, and mail-in ballots are accepted in North Carolina through Nov. 12, if postmarked by Nov. 3.
The race is the most expensive U.S. Senate race in history and the polls between the two tightened in October. Five polls released since Saturday show Cunningham leading with a margin between 2 and 5 points.
In the last month, Tillis has centered his criticism on Cunningham's marital infidelity and investigation by the U.S. Army. Cunningham has criticized Tillis for his Senate record and response to the coronavirus pandemic.
When Trump took the lead on Fox News, attendees of the Tillis election night watch party held at the Langtree Plantation in Mooresville erupted in cheers.
