Elliott concedes to Hill in US House race in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Democrat Joyce Elliott conceded Wednesday to Republican Rep. French Hill in a central Arkansas congressional race that had drawn spending from outside groups on both sides.

Elliott she planned to call Hill and acknowledge she lost the race for Arkansas' 2nd District, which includes Little Rock and seven central Arkansas counties. The Associated Press called the race for Hill, but Elliott late Tuesday said she wasn't conceding, citing uncounted votes in Democrat-heavy Pulaski County.

But the AP determined that Elliott would not be able to catch Hill even with the remaining uncounted vote in Pulaski County.

“When I leave here, I will call Congressman Hill and concede the race," Elliott said Wednesday at her campaign headquarters. “But, as an individual, I will not concede the effort to restore trust in our democracy and count every vote."

Elliott called on local election officials to count all remaining votes.

Elliott ran for the same seat a decade ago and lost by 20 points, but her strong fundraising had raised hopes among national and state Democrats that the seat was within reach. If elected, she would have been the first Black member of Congress elected from Arkansas.

Hill has held the seat since 2015.