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Robert Pittenger celebrates with family and supporters. Photo: Lisa Miller Former State Senator Robert Pittenger has won the Republican run-off for the 9th Congressional district. Robert Pittenger got 53 percent of the vote. That put him ahead of Mecklenburg County Commissioner Jim Pendergraph by just a few thousand votes. It was a bruising runoff. Pittenger loaned his campaign $2 million over the past several months, much of it spent on attack ads. But now, the real estate investor says it's time for Republicans to unite behind him. "We're going to bring our nation back by the grace of God to where it came, where free people can live and build their families and build their businesses in freedom. And not be enslaved to a federal government who wants to tell them everything to do," said Pittenger. The 9th district is heavily Republican and has been long-represented by retiring Congresswoman Sue Myrick. She picked Pendergraph to replace her, but it will be Pittenger on the ballot this November along with Democrat Jennifer Roberts and Libertarian Curtis Campbell.