Scott Peters started election night behind, but he ended a long election night less than 700 votes ahead of incumbent Brian Bilbray. Whether the Democratic challenger hangs on to become the congressman for the 52nd District remains to be seen.
Some 400,000 provisional and absentee ballots are still uncounted, with perhaps as many as 200,000 of those in the 52nd district.
This long wait until election certification is nothing new for Peters, who told KPBS News that his election nights seem always to last for days and even weeks.
The campaign was one of the most closely watched House races in the country -- and one of the most expensive. Peters put $2 million of his own money into the race, and super-PACs also spent millions on both sides.
A resolution is in sight, however. The San Diego County Registrar of Voters will certify the final election results on December 4.