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McNerney-Harmer Congressional Race Still Too Close To Call

SAN RAMON (CBS / AP) -- The outcome in a Northern California congressional race remained too close to call Monday as counties continued to process vote-by-mail and provisional ballots.

Two-term 11th Congressional District Democratic U.S. Rep. Jerry McNerney was locked in a tight battle with Republican David Harmer, a San Ramon attorney.

The secretary of state's office said Monday that Harmer trailed McNerney by just 625 votes — 47.8 percent to 47.3 percent.

About 376,000 ballots were outstanding in the 11th district from San Joaquin, Santa Clara, Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

The sprawling district extends from the East Bay into the San Joaquin Valley.

The district is reliably competitive in any election year, due to the near-even split between registered Republicans and Democrats.

The GOP and several outside conservative groups poured money into Harmer's campaign and viewed the contest as their best hope of seizing a Democratic congressional seat in California.

(Copyright 2010 by CBS Broadcasting Inc. and The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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