Brad Briner, a member of the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees, will become state treasurer. (archive photo)

Republican Brad Briner was elected as North Carolina’s next state treasurer, defeating his Democratic challenger, state Rep. Wesley Harris.

The Associated Press forecast Briner early Wednesday morning. According to the State Board of Elections, as of 1:20 a.m. Briner was leading Harris 52.46% to 47.54%.

The race pitted the House’s only graduate economist (Harris) against an investment manager and current member of the UNC Board of Trustees (Briner).

Both men campaigned on how to improve the poor performance of North Carolina’s pension system. They agree that too much of the state pension fund is in cash.

The office also oversees the state’s health care plan and serves more than 750,000 current and retired public employees. Current State Treasurer Dale Folwell served in the position for two terms. Folwell ran unsuccessfully in the Republican gubernatorial primary, losing to Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson in March.

Election night results are unofficial and vote totals are likely to change in the coming days as local election boards consider provisional, military and foreign civilian votes. The state elections board is scheduled to meet Nov. 26 to certify the results.