KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Voters in Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District sent Democratic incumbent Rep. Sharice Davids back to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday night.
Davids held back Republican challenger Amanda Adkins, who called Davids to concede the race shortly before 10 p.m. The Associated Press also called the race for Davids around the same time.
Davids had around 54% of the vote with 516 of 643 precincts reporting.
.@sharicedavids addresses Kansans after winning Kansas’ 3rd District Congressional Race for a second time. @41actionnews
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“In this race Kansans spoke loud and clear.” pic.twitter.com/2TdZA80lFq
The incumbent representative will enter her second term as the 3rd District representative, the first time a Democrat has served multiple terms in the district since Dennis Moore served for 12 years (1999-2011).
"Our state motto, Ad Astra Per Aspera - to the stars through difficulties - has never felt more real than it does right now. Because we are in this fight and we're in it together. And I can tell you this, for as long as I am here, we are going to fight for every single seat across this state," Davids said after results were tallied.
Davids’ victory also represents the continued trend in Johnson County, Kansas, to favor Democratic candidates.
The district also includes Wyandotte County.
In the race against Adkins, the two battled over economic issues, health care and how to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.
READ: Comparison of positions between Adkins and Davids
"So my pledge to you is that I, Amanda Atkins, having been your Republican candidate for Congress. There are so many things that I will do in the future, to continue to support this community. Leadership means just that much," Adkins said in her concession speech.
Davids, who is a Kansas native, graduated from Leavenworth High School, Johnson County Community College and the University of Missouri-Kansas City before she received a law degree from Cornell University.
She is a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, a Native American tribe based in Wisconsin, and a former professional mixed martial arts fighter.
Davids, a lesbian, is a staunch supporter of minority and LGBTQ rights.
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