Early returns were inconclusive in the Sixth Congressional District race pitting incumbent Rep. Tom Emmer, the No. 3 Republican in the U.S. House, against Democrat Jeanne Hendricks in a rematch Tuesday.

Emmer, the House Majority Whip, had a significant fundraising advantage over Hendricks heading into his battle for a sixth term. He raised more than $8 million compared to Hendricks, who raised less than six figures.

In 2022, Hendricks, a nurse anesthetist, lost to Emmer by more than 24 percentage points.

Emmer began rising through the Republican ranks after leading the National Republican Congressional Committee for four years, helping the GOP narrowly win back control of the House in 2022.

He became House majority whip shortly after the 2022 midterms and ran for speaker the following year after Kevin McCarthy was ousted from the speaker's post.

But Emmer's ascension in the House was halted largely by former President Donald Trump, who along with his allies had a hand in sinking Emmer's chances. Their relationship since appears to have come full circle, with Emmer becoming one of Trump's chief defenders.

Though Emmer no longer leads the NRCC, he's continued to raise millions to elect Republicans through his joint fundraising committees.

When House Republicans hold leadership elections on Nov. 13, Emmer's support for candidates likely won't be forgotten if he runs for whip again or decides to vie for speaker should Republicans hold onto their House majority.