Updated: Headrick concedes to Fleischmann in 3rd District

photo Congressman Chuck Fleischmann speaks to his supporters in the Double Tree Hotel's Vision Ballroom after taking the majority of the votes winning the election on Tuesday, November 4, 2014.
photo Democratic Tennessee 3rd Congressional District race candidate Dr. Mary Headrick reacts as Pat Combs, center left, hands her a concession phone number delivered by a Chuck Fleischmann staffer Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014, during Headrick's election returns party at the Chattanooga Choo Choo in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Updated story

This story was updated with additional photos and information.

U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann will serve Tennessee for another two years, after he won more than 60 percent of the vote Tuesday, over Democratic opponent Mary Headrick.

Fleischmann declared victory by 9:30 p.m. even though six of the 11 counties in Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District were still reporting results.

With a 26 percentage point lead, Fleischmann said "People of the 3rd District of Tennessee have spoken and spoken loudly."

Fleischmann defeated a challenge by Headrick in 2012 by a similar margin.

In Headrick's camp, around 9 p.m., an aide from Fleischmann's campaign delivered a white piece of paper with a phone number scribbled on it and informed Headrick that it was the number she should use to concede the race.

Later, she slowly unfolded the paper, put on her glasses, and pulled out her cell phone to call Fleischmann.

"Good evening, I just called to concede the race to you," she said.

It was quiet on Headrick's end of the phone for more than 10 seconds, and then she said, "I hope we get a better government...I want prompt construction on the [Chickamauga] Lock."

She ended the brief conversation saying, "you have a lot of chores to do."

Headrick does not plan to leave the political scene, but intends to immediately begin working with enrollment in the Affordable Care Act.

Previous story follows:

Republican incumbent Chuck Fleischmann is edging ahead of Mary M. Headrick, his Democrat challenger, in the battle for U.S. House District 3.

As of 9 p.m., Fleischmann led nearly 2 to 1 over Headrick, or 43,000 votes to 24,500 votes.

By 9:39 p.m., Fleischmann led by 76,580 votes to 43,700 votes.

Headrick conceded shortly after 10 p.m.

The crowd has begun to build at Fleischmann's election returns party, where he is widely expected to announce his victory later tonight in the largely Republican district.

But with many precincts still yet to report, it could be some time before the results are known.

At Headrick's campaign, a Fleischmann staffer brought the challenger a concession phone number to call in case she wishes to concede, but she laughed it off and tore up the piece of paper, observers said.

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