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U.S. Rep. Mel Watt handily won his 11th term representing the 12th Congressional District, with the Democratic congressman capturing 80 percent of the vote.
“I never really had much doubt about the outcome in my particular race. I’m always delighted to have two more years to serve the people of the 12th Congressional District,” Watt told the Observer above the noise of a party at the Excelsior Club in Charlotte.
“I hope we can continue to move the country forward.”
His opponent, Republican Jack Brosch, could not immediately be reached.
Watt’s oddly shaped district includes uptown Charlotte and parts of five other counties along the Interstate 85 corridor to Greensboro. Always a comfortable district for Democrats, it was assigned more predominantly minority precincts in the Republican-led redistricting last year.
Fifty-seven percent of registered voters in the 12th District’s new boundaries were black, and 63 percent were Democrats.
During the campaign, Brosch, who identifies with the tea party movement, said his candidacy was meant to represent the conservative voices he believes haven’t been listened to.
But fundraising proved difficult for him. Watt outraised Brosch 655-to-1, and outspent him 49-to-1.
Watt transferred more than $250,000 he raised to other candidates and party committees. Brosch lent his campaign $8,300.
Watt has represented the 12th District since it was re-created in 1992. He campaigned on his involvement in major legislation like the Affordable Care Act and the Dodd-Frank financial reform law.
