Democratic candidate Jamie Ager prevailed over Republican candidate Jennifer Balkcom in the race to replace outgoing Republican incumbent Rep. Chuck Edwards of North Carolina.
Republicans hold a slim majority in the House with 218 seats to 214 for Democrats, with one independent and two vacancies. Democrats need a net gain of three to take control.
Democrats flipped their first House seat with his win.
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Mr. Ager, a farmer and small business owner, won despite a strong GOP voting history in the district, which has sent a Republican to Congress in every election since 2010.
The seat became an open race after Mr. Edwards, who has been in office since 2023, withdrew from his reelection bid following a recommendation for formal censure by the House Ethics Committee.
The committee found his conduct with female staffers “beyond inappropriate” but found no evidence he explicitly propositioned anyone or engaged in sexual activity with them. Mr. Edwards denied any romantic or sexual intent, and his attorneys argued the findings “exonerate” him.
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