North Carolina District 1 Candidates Will Face Election
Voters in North Carolina will select a representative for the U.S. House District 1 seat on November 3, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Elections
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Incumbent Democrat Don Davis and Libertarian Thomas Bailey are competing for the North Carolina District 1 congressional seat in the election scheduled for November 3, 2026. Candidate Laurie Buckhout is also on the ballot but did not return a campaign questionnaire.
Why it matters
The election will determine who represents the district in the U.S. House as candidates outline their priorities on issues ranging from defense investment to national fiscal policy. Voters will weigh these platforms against the candidates' legislative records and experience.
Incumbent Don Davis, 55, is seeking a third term and has championed H.R. 5837, the RESET Act. Libertarian challenger Thomas Bailey is 76 years old, while Laurie Buckhout's campaign has provided limited public platform information.
The players
Don Davis
He is the incumbent Democratic U.S. Representative for North Carolina's 1st Congressional District and a former mayor of Snow Hill.
Thomas Bailey
He is the Libertarian party candidate for the congressional seat and has a background in board service in Guilford County.
Laurie Buckhout
She is a candidate for the District 1 congressional seat who did not respond to the recent election questionnaire.
The details
Don Davis highlights his record of securing $89 million for the F-35 Aircraft Sustainment Center at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point to support service members. The candidates are addressing broader concerns, including the $40 trillion national debt, as they campaign across the district.
Timeline
The election for the U.S. House of Representatives District 1 will take place on November 3, 2026.
Political Context
The race serves as a referendum on the incumbent's legislative priorities, specifically the RESET Act, H.R. 5837, which proposes new conditions for mid-decade redistricting. Opposition groups may push back against these legislative strategies or question the effectiveness of current fiscal policies regarding the $40 trillion national debt.
The outcome of this election will dictate the representative who shapes federal policy and funding allocations for local defense installations like the site at Cherry Point. Residents will be directly impacted by the winner's approach to legislative bills like the RESET Act and broader fiscal governance.
The takeaway
Voters should review the specific legislative records of the candidates to understand how their priorities align with the district's economic and defense interests. Evaluating these positions early helps constituents make informed decisions before casting their ballots on November 3.
Further reading
Learn more about the upcoming vote in the North Carolina Elections section.
More information
For more details on the incumbent's platform, visit the Don Davis campaign website.
Live Poll
Do you feel the economy in your area is currently getting better or worse for your household?
