Democrat Rachel Hunt has won North Carolina’s last contested legislative race, edging out influential GOP Rep. Bill Brawley in a recount.

Hunt declared victory last week after a provisional ballot count extended her narrow lead over Brawley in state House District 103, but Brawley requested a recount. News outlets report that the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections declared Hunt the winner Tuesday, with a 68-vote lead.

The win further narrows the gap between the parties in the House, giving Democrats 55 seats to Republicans’ 65. Republicans will also hold a 29-21 advantage in the State Senate.

In neither house will the GOP hold a veto-proof majority, though, giving Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper more power.

The race was one of the state’s most expensive. Hunt, a first-time candidate and daughter of former Gov. Jim Hunt, raised more than $1.2 million and got about $900,000 from the state Democratic Party.

Brawley, who chairs the House Finance Committee, raised over $410,000.

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