DUNN — Renee Ellmers is returning for a second term in the U.S. House.

She bested her Democratic challenger Steve Wilkins, a military veteran, with 56 percent of the vote.

In her acceptance speech she thanked Wilkins for his service to Ellmers the country and a hard fought campaign.

“I ask Steve and his supporters to work with us to change Washington,” Ellmers said in her statement.

“Democrats and Republicans will not always agree on policy but there are opportunities to work together in ways that responsibly reduce our deficit, shrink our government and empower the private sector to create jobs.”

Ellmers had been expected to win handily in District 2 which was redrawn this year by the Republican legislature to make it an even safer Republican district.

A nurse from Dunn, Ellmers narrowly defeated Democratic Rep. Bob Etheridge in 2010.

In her first term, Ellmers became a favorite of the House Republican leadership but disappointed some tea party supporters when she urged support for the House’s debt-limit plan.