Cal Cunningham, North Carolina Democratic Candidate For The Senate, To Stay In Race After Sexting Scandal

Topline

The Democratic Candidate for the Senate in North Carolina, Cal Cunningham, says he will stay in the race after he confessed to sending sexual texts to a woman other than his wife – an admission that could upend a Senate race Democrats were hoping to flip in hopes of gaining control of the chamber.

Key Facts

Big Number

319,000. That’s how many votes have already been cast in North Carolina according to the state’s Board Of Elections.

Crucial Quote

“I have hurt my family, disappointed my friends, and am deeply sorry,” Cunningham said in the statement. “The first step in repairing those relationships is taking complete responsibility, which I do. I ask that my family’s privacy be respected in this personal matter.

Key Background

As of October 2 Cunningham was up 13 percentage points against Tillis, according to FiveThirtyEight. He is an army veteran and former state senator who has led the polls in the highly competitive race through September.