Cal Cunningham Concedes To Thom Tillis In NC Senate Race

NORTH CAROLINA — One of the most hotly contested U.S. Senate races in the country's general election ended Tuesday afternoon when Democrat Cal Cunningham conceded the race to Republican incumbent Thom Tillis.

"I just called Senator Tillis to congratulate him on winning re-election to a second term in the U.S. Senate and wished him and his family the best in their continued service in the months ahead," Cunningham said in a statement, according to WSOC. "The voters have spoken and I respect their decision," he said.

Cunningham made the concession as the state still has uncounted votes. Final vote totals are set to be released later this week. As of Nov. 10, Tillis led Cunningham by 95,290 votes.

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"While the results of this election suggest there remain deep political divisions in our state and nation, the more complete store of our country lies in what unites us: our faith and sense of confidence in our democracy, our civic values and common humanity, our shared aspiration to care for one another, and our belief that we live in a country that does exceptional things," he said.

The North Carolina Senate race was touted as the most expensive Senate race in U.S. history, with more than $233 million spent on advertising alone as of Oct. 13. Three days into October, however, North Carolina voters received their own version of a tawdry "October Surprise" when news broke that Cunningham admitted to exchanging sexually suggestive text messages with a woman who's not his wife. Cunningham publically apologized to his wife, family and friends but said he would not drop out of the race.

"This was a hard-fought campaign and I wish nothing but the best to Cal and his family going forward," Tillis said, according to the AP. "I am incredibly humbled by the chance to serve the people of North Carolina in the United States Senate for six more years and I pledge to continue keeping my promises and delivering results."