U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick broke her silence Monday and endorsed Republican Jim Pendergraph in the crowded race for her 9th District congressional seat.

Also Monday, Myrick’s colleague, U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry of Cherryville, endorsed former state senator Robert Pittenger, one of Pendergraph’s 10 Republican opponents.

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Pittenger, who plans to formally kick off his campaign this morning, became the first candidate to air a TV ad in the race, called “Effective & Conservative.”

Pendergraph and Pittenger are among 11 Republicans running for the seat.