Republican Addison McDowell has successfully secured a seat in the U.S. House for North Carolina after winning the election on Tuesday, effectively turning a district previously held by Democrats into a Republican stronghold. This election marks the end of Democratic Representative Kathy Manning’s tenure, as she opted not to pursue a third term in office. Interestingly, the Democratic Party did not field a candidate for this election, leaving McDowell unopposed in a significant way.

The alteration of district boundaries earlier in 2023 has created a political shift, introducing a greater share of Republican-leaning voters into the area, which extends from Greensboro and Winston-Salem down to Concord in the southwest. McDowell, a health insurance lobbyist with ties to Davidson County, brings a background in political work as he previously served for Senator Ted Budd during Budd’s time in the House of Representatives.

The election outcome was confirmed by news outlets with McDowell being declared the winner at 9:42 p.m. EST. This victory suggests a notable shift in North Carolina’s political landscape, with the potential implications of future elections still unfolding.