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RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The defeat of North Carolina incumbent U.S. Rep. Robert Pittenger in his Republican primary could give Democrats a wider opening to win the seat and control the House.
Pittenger became the first congressional incumbent to lose this year when the Rev. Mark Harris narrowly defeated him Tuesday in a 2016 rematch in the south-central 9th District.
Harris will begin the general campaign at a financial disadvantage over Democratic primary winner Dan McCready, whose campaign had more than $1 million in recent weeks.
Harris' loyalty to President Donald Trump also will be tested as an asset or liability in a district where Trump didn't perform as well in during the 2016 election compared with other North Carolina districts Republicans represent.
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