In the key N.C. House District 98 contest, Republican John Bradford has a small, 54 vote, lead over Democrat Natasha Marcus in early voting, which includes absentee ballots.Bradford has 5,366 votes to Marcus’ 5,312. There are 12 precincts in the district which Thom Tillis won in 2006. N.C. Sen. Jeff Tarte has the lead in early and absentee voting with 12,671 votes.

His opponent, Latrice McRae’s 10,537 votes. Here’s the detail: 4,667 votes for Bradford in early voting, vs. 4,952 for Marcus. Absentee by mail: 684 for Bradford, 323 for Marcus.