Still trailing, Rep. Etheridge calls for a recount

Down by some 1,500 votes, North Carolina Rep. Bob Etheridge (D) has asked for a recount in his race against Republican challenger Renee Ellmers.

"Unless voters are assured that the results of the election are accurate then they’ll never be sure that the people’s voice was heard or that the result is valid," Etheridge said in a statement Friday. "As more votes were counted over the last week, it became increasingly clear that this race is too close to call and a recount is warranted."

Etheridge trails by 1,489 votes, according to the North Carolina Board of Elections' latest count. The seven-term Democrat has gained some 600 votes since Election Day, according his campaign.

A spokesman for Etheridge said earlier this week he planned to ask for a recount if the race's margin remained within 1 percent. The process should be completed next week.