Recount confirms Ellmers victory over Etheridge

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — A recount in North Carolina’s closest congressional race has confirmed a victory for Republican candidate Renee Ellmers.

State Board of Elections director Gary Bartlett said Friday that a recount in the 2nd Congressional District has found that Ellmers defeated Democratic Rep. Bob Etheridge by about 1,500 votes. Etheridge had requested a second count of ballots after the election earlier this month found the candidates separated by less than one percent of all votes cast.

Ellmers is a nurse who campaigned with the backing of the tea party movement and an early endorsement from former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. Etheridge is a veteran lawmaker who had won previous elections by a wide margin.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)