RALEIGH, N.C. — The outcome of the election in North Carolina’s only competitive congressional district could play a crucial role in determining whether Republicans maintain control of the U.S. House or if Democrats gain a foothold.
This contentious race is between Democratic U.S. Representative Don Davis, who is seeking re-election during his inaugural term, and Republican challenger Laurie Buckhout. North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, which stretches from Currituck County to parts of Granville County, is one of the few battlegrounds in the Southeast and has seen heavy investment from both parties aiming to either secure or flip the seat.
The political dynamics in the district have shifted since Davis’s victory over Republican Sandy Smith in the previous election. With the redistricting efforts executed by a Republican-controlled state legislature, several conservative areas were incorporated, altering the district’s previous Democratic leaning to a more competitive status.
Davis hails from Snow Hill and brings a wealth of political experience, having served in various roles including mayor and state senator, alongside being a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
Buckhout has a distinguished background in the U.S. Army, where she served for over 25 years before pivoting to the private sector to establish a military technology consulting firm. After selling her business, she relocated to Edenton a few years back.
In a bid to gain voter support, both candidates have attempted to associate one another with unpopular narratives surrounding their political parties. Buckhout’s campaign has sought to link Davis to Vice President Kamala Harris’s contentious policies on economic and immigration issues, aiming to resonate with voters who are discontented with the current administration.
Interestingly, Davis has collaborated with House Republicans to criticize Harris’s handling of the U.S.-Mexico border situation. However, he endorsed her presidential campaign shortly thereafter and has participated in her promotional events, including a rally in Greenville.
On the other hand, pro-Davis groups have tried to connect Buckhout with controversies involving Republican Lt. Governor Mark Robinson, who has faced allegations regarding inappropriate comments from his past. While Robinson has denied these accusations, they have sparked significant debate.
These advocacy groups have also utilized images of Buckhout with Robinson to highlight her association with his evolving views on abortion restrictions, although she maintains that her focus remains solely on her campaign without connection to Robinson’s issues.