The Associated Press Friday, November 15, 2002; 1:10 PM

GOLDSBORO, N.C. –– Republicans gained at least a tie in the North Carolina House on Friday when recounts showed them winning two disputed races over prominent Democrats, and the GOP led another high-profile count still under way.

A Republican sweep of the recounts would give the party a 61-59 advantage over the Democrats.

The recount for District 11, centered about 40 miles southwest of Raleigh, was expected to be completed Friday afternoon. Republican Louis Pate, mayor of Mount Olive, remained ahead of House Majority Leader Phil Baddour late Thursday after a partial hand recount.

In far-east District 3, a recount in Craven and Pamlico counties showed Republican Michael Gorman winning by 183 votes over Democratic incumbent Alice Graham Underhill, the daughter of Jim Graham, elected as the state's agriculture commissioner for 36 years. Unofficial results last week had given Gorman a 182-vote lead.

And in District 17, covering part of the Fayetteville area, a machine recount completed Thursday gave Republican lawyer Bonner Stiller a 169-vote lead over Democratic Rep. David Redwine, a 10-term veteran. Stiller had unofficially led by 163 votes last week.

Results will be certified next week by the state Board of Elections.

-- Anonymous, November 15, 2002