PITT COUNTY — Republican Rep. Tim Reeder conceded the North Carolina House District 9 race Thursday and congratulated Democrat Claire Kempner as unofficial results showed her leading by 226 votes.
“I want to congratulate Claire Kempner and wish her well as she takes on the serious responsibility of representing our community,” Reeder said in a statement reported by WITN. He added that his commitment to Pitt County and eastern North Carolina would continue after his current chapter in public service ends.
WITN reported that Reeder also thanked Pitt County residents for the opportunity to serve in the state House. The station’s current count put Kempner ahead by 226 votes, an increase from the 175-vote margin reported earlier in the post-election canvass period.
The State Board of Elections says results reported before canvass are unofficial and may change as county boards complete required post-election work. County boards are scheduled to meet at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13, to certify contests within their jurisdictions and authenticate totals in contests handled by the State Board.
House District 9 is centered in Pitt County. The General Assembly lists Reeder as the district’s Republican representative for the 2025-26 session, House deputy majority whip and a two-term House member.
If the result is certified with Kempner ahead, the seat will change from Republican to Democratic representation. Reeder’s concession is a material candidate action in the unresolved legislative contest, but it does not itself certify the result or replace the canvass process.
State election guidance says a trailing candidate in a nonstatewide contest may demand a recount when the post-canvass margin is 1% or less of all votes cast. For a contest under State Board jurisdiction, including a multi-county state legislative district, a written demand is due by noon Tuesday, Nov. 17.
The State Board is scheduled to conduct its statewide canvass Nov. 24. Until the applicable canvass and certification steps are complete, Kempner’s lead remains unofficial.
Sources
- WITN report on Reeder’s concession
- North Carolina State Board of Elections finalization guidance
- North Carolina General Assembly biography for Rep. Timothy Reeder
Photo Credit: North Carolina General Assembly via Wikimedia Commons, public domain. Official portrait of Rep. Timothy Reeder, dated Feb. 23, 2023. Cropped and resized.
Editor’s Note: This article was drafted with the assistance of artificial intelligence and was reviewed and fact-checked by a member of the NC Political News editorial team before publication.