LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Incumbent U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler declared victory in a tight race for a seat in Congress from central Kentucky, but his Republican opponent declined to concede.
With 99 percent of precincts reporting, Chandler had 119,845, or 50.1 percent, to Lexington attorney Andy Barr's 119,245, or 49.8 percent.
Chandler told supporters, "We have won in a historic night" around the country. Barr said the race was "too close to call" and promised to continue fighting for the seat on Wednesday.
Five other Kentucky incumbents — four Republicans and a Democrat — cruised to re-election Tuesday night.
The race was being watched nationally as a possible indicator of how Republicans would do nationally. Kentucky's polls closed at 6 p.m. local time, making them among the first to close in the country.
