Election results: N.C. congressional incumbents win

RALEIGH

North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr vanquished Democratic challenger Elaine Marshall on Tuesday, retaining his seat in Congress with a renewed promise to rein in government spending and debt.

Burr, who has served one term in the Senate after a decade in the House, had portrayed himself as an agent of change after two years of Democratic control of federal government. His message particularly focused on fiscal discipline, acknowledging past Republican mistakes of intense government spending but blaming Democrats for escalating the excess with President Barack Obama in charge.

"The result of this election shows that North Carolinians expect Congress to find reasonable and rational solutions to build a better future," Burr said. "I am ready to lead in the effort to make sure the next generation has every opportunity possible to be successful."

Marshall, a veteran politician in Raleigh and the current secretary of state, had cast herself as an outsider in the race. She blamed Burr for contributing to problems with Washington politics and questioned his ties to interest groups.

Marshall used her post-election speech to express concern about the gap between the rich and the poor. She pointed out that Wall Street is returning to high profits and bonuses while average Americans continue to struggle through the economic downturn.

In other congressional races, U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield and U.S. Rep. Walter Jones have retained their House seats.

Unofficial results show Butterfield won his fourth two-year term Tuesday, defeating Ashley Woolard in the 1st Congressional District.

Unofficial results show Jones defeating Democratic candidate Johnny Rouse of Winterville and Libertarian Darryl Holloman in the 3rd District.

Jones is a Pitt County native first elected to the House in 1994.

Also, a referendum to amend the state constitution to bar convicted felons from running for or serving as a county sheriff was overwhelmingly approved by voters on Tuesday.