“North Carolina Congressional Elections: Dynamics, Contested Seats, and Incumbent Strategies”
In the aftermath of redistricting changes, five out of the 14 incumbents have opted not to run for another term in North Carolina. Democratic Representatives Jeff Jackson, Kathy Manning, and Wiley Nickel have chosen not to seek reelection in districts that now lean more heavily towards Republicans. On the Republican side, Representatives Dan Bishop and Patrick McHenry are stepping aside for unrelated reasons.
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North Carolina
Seats that are likely to shift from Democratic to Republican representation have drawn significant candidate interest. North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore is expected to secure the Republican nomination in the redrawn 14th District, which includes portions of Charlotte and extends west to the foothills. Two Democrats, Pam Genant and Brendan Maginnis, are competing for the nomination.
In the open 13th District, 14 Republicans are vying for the seat, which now forms a horseshoe around Raleigh. The Democratic nominee, Frank Pierce, will face the winner of the Republican primary.
The currently Democratic 6th District has six Republicans running for the nomination. Addison McDowell, a political newcomer and Blue Cross and Blue Shield lobbyist, has received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. The district stretches from Greensboro and Winston-Salem south and west to Concord.
In the open 8th District, where incumbent Mark Harris is running for the Republican nomination, state Rep. John Bradford is among the six candidates. Justin Dues is the lone Democrat in the district.
The unexpected vacancy in the 10th District, following Patrick McHenry’s decision not to run, has attracted five Republican candidates. The winner will face Democrat Ralph Scott Jr. and a Libertarian Party candidate in the general election.
A potentially competitive district is the 1st District, where first-term Democratic Rep. Don Davis is seeking reelection. Republican Sandy Smith and ex-Army colonel Laurie Buckhout are competing for the GOP nomination.
Several Republican incumbents, including Rep. Virginia Foxx, Rep. Greg Murphy, Rep. David Rouzer, Rep. Chuck Edwards, and Rep. Richard Hudson, are running for reelection, facing opponents in their respective primaries. On the Democratic side, Rep. Deborah Ross, Rep. Valerie Foushee, and Rep. Alma Adams are also seeking reelection, with Foushee and Adams running unopposed in the primary.
