After one of the U.S. Senate’s most tightly contested races, Democrat Heidi Heitkamp became the first woman elected to Congress from North Dakota this week.

Heitkamp didn’t secure her victory until Wednesday, due to the extremely narrow margin between her totals and those of her Republican opponent, U.S. Representative Rick Berg.

Berg at first refused to concede the election, raising the specter of a recount. But the freshman congressman eventually gave in, even though the unofficial results showed Heithamp leading by less than 3,000 votes.

Heitkamp becomes the first woman whom North Dakotans have ever elected to Congress, and only the second to serve in the Senate. Jocelyn Burdick was appointed to a brief three-month term in 1992 to fill the vacancy caused by the death of her husband, Senator Quentin Burdick.

A conservative Democrat, Heitkamp may not always vote with her caucus once she’s sworn in. During the campaign she criticized President Barack Obama’s energy policy. She’s also a supporter of gun rights and the oil industry.

Heitkamp previously served as North Dakota’s attorney general (1993-2000) and state tax commissioner (1986-1992).

Heitkamp’s victory leaves four states that have still not elected a woman to either the Senate of the House of Representatives: Delaware, Iowa, Mississippi and Vermont.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

To Learn More:

Berg Concedes; Heitkamp on to the Senate (by Nick Smith, Bismarck Tribune)

Berg Doesn't Concede As Heitkamp Squeaks Out Apparent Win In U.S. Senate Race (by Mike Nowatzki and Ryan Johnson, Grand Forks Herald)

Heitkamp Confident, Berg not Conceding ND US Senate Race (by Dale Wetzel and L.M. Otero, Associated Press)

Unofficial Results (North Dakota Voting Information & Central Election Systems)

Women Representatives and Senators by State and Territory, 1917–Present (Women in Congress)

5 States Still Have Never Elected a Woman to Congress (by David Wallechinsky and Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)