Hubbard appears to have ousted Foxx in NC-05 as provisionals, cured ballots counted

It looks like North Carolina’s longest-serving congressional Republican has lost her seat.

Democratic challenger Chuck Hubbard expanded his slim lead over longtime Republican Congresswoman Virginia Foxx after provisional and cured ballots were counted Tuesday across the 5th Congressional District.

In unofficial returns on election night, Hubbard held a razor-slim lead of 99 votes. 

As provisional ballots trickled in Tuesday, Foxx pulled ahead at times. But in the end, she couldn’t catch Hubbard, who ended the night with a lead of 335. Those results won’t be official until counties complete their canvasses Nov. 13.

Libertarian candidate Robert Tuffman received 7,579 votes, many times the margin between the two frontrunners.

Hubbard’s apparent win gives Democrats an 11th seat in the North Carolina congressional delegation, with three Republicans, a huge switch from the current delegation of 10 Republicans and four Democrats.

Foxx has held the seat since 2005. It was considered a safe Republican district, but couldn’t withstand this year’s blue wave election.

The race is eligible for a recount if Foxx requests one after the counties complete their canvasses. 

US Rep. Virginia Foxx says vote count isn’t over as she trails Dem in NC’s 5th District

After trailing Hubbard in Election Day results, Foxx said the counting process wasn’t over, pointing to overseas and provisional ballots. 

“Free and fair elections are a cornerstone of our healthy republic,” Foxx said in a statement last week. “The voters exercised their American rights and cast their ballots. I am so grateful for all those who took the time to vote in this election.”

There could still be very minor changes to the final tallies. Military and overseas votes that were mailed by Election Day will still be counted if they’re received by 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12. The ballots of voters whose eligibility has been successfully challenged could still be removed at the Nov. 13 county canvass meetings. 

Hubbard is in Washington this week for new member orientation.