Democrat Challenger In 13th District Not Conceding Just Yet

The 13th Congressional District race was a close one for the Democratic candidates. Former Guilford County Commissioner Bruce Davis of High Point appears to have won the contest. Only around 100 votes separate him from Greensboro developer John Isner.

Isner isn't ready to concede just yet.  

Tuesday's primary results aren't official until all of the votes are validated. County election officials are in the process of counting absentee and provisional ballots, which should be counted by next Tuesday. This may or may not change the vote tallies.

Democratic candidate Bob Isner says he's not asking for a recount at this point.

“I'm behind by around 100 votes and there would have to be a truly significant change in the vote count to even warrant a recount,” says Isner. “I don't think that's going to happen, but it's still too close not to keep that option open.”

Isner adds, “I've called Bruce Davis and congratulated him as the presumptive winner and told him what I was doing and he said I don't blame you, I would do the same thing, so we're OK there. It's just letting the process play out.”

Overall, 22 candidates vied for their party's primary win in the newly redrawn 13th district. The official winning Democrat will face Republican Ted Budd, a gun shop owner from Davie County, in the general election.

Voters headed back to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in Congressional primaries, contests for state Supreme Court Justices, and a handful of local races. But because it was the second primary this year, turnout was lighter than traditional primaries.

Elections officials say statewide, voter turnout was at nearly 7.7 percent, with more than 500,000 ballots cast.

Usually, this voting day is reserved for run-off elections. Another primary had to be held because a court ruling found the former congressional districts racially gerrymandered.

The new lines could not be drawn in time for the March 15 primary.

*You can follow WFDD's Keri Brown on Twitter @kerib_news