Bob “Who Are You?” Etheridge to concede later today in North Carolina? That’s what the Hotline is reporting:
Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-N.C.) is expected to concede this afternoon after results from a completed recount are likely to show he didn’t make up any significant ground in his race against Rep.-elect Renee Ellmers (R), according to campaign sources.
Etheridge has scheduled a 3 p.m. press conference to make the statement.
Officials certified Ellmers as the winner last week, but because her 1,489-vote lead over Etheridge was less than one percent of the total votes cast, the incumbent was legally permitted to ask for a recount.
The results of the recount will be announced this afternoon, but preliminary reports suggest they show no significant difference from the certified numbers.
The AP called the race on election night for Ellmers, and because of that, Etheridge’s concession will not mean that the GOP has picked up another House seat; Republicans remain at a net gain of 61 seats for the cycle.
Etheridge made news earlier in the cycle for getting in a shoving incident with a student that was caught on tape.
Or as the Washington Post described it at the time, merely a cheerful if overly exuberant hug amongst old friends:
[youtube v60oNUoHBYM]
More news from local station WXII12: “NC Recount Confirms GOP Candidate As Winner.”
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