DCCC Added North Carolina District to Play List
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee included North Carolina's 13th District in its competitive seat program.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Political Parties
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The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has added North Carolina's 13th Congressional District to its Districts in Play program. This move signals an intent by Democrats to contest the seat held by Republican Brad Knott during the November election.
Why it matters
Democrats are looking to expand their electoral map to regain a majority in the U.S. House, where Republicans currently hold a narrow 218-212 lead. By designating seats as competitive, the party aims to focus attention on districts they believe could potentially flip.
The DCCC now tracks 66 House districts in its program, which identifies seats held by Republicans for potential competition. Brad Knott previously secured this seat in 2024 by a margin of 17 points over Frank Pierce.
The players
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
This is the official campaign arm of the Democratic Party in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Brad Knott
He is the Republican incumbent currently serving as the U.S. Representative for North Carolina's 13th District.
Paul Barringer
He is the Democratic candidate challenging for the U.S. House seat in North Carolina's 13th District.
The details
The Districts in Play program identifies competitive Republican-held seats but does not provide direct financial support for candidates like Democrat Paul Barringer. Instead, the committee provides participating candidates with a designated webpage that directs potential donors to a fundraising site.
Timeline
Brad Knott defeated Frank Pierce by 17 points in 2024.
The DCCC added NC-13 to the Districts in Play program on September 26, 2026.
The U.S. House general election will take place in November 2026.
Political Context
While the DCCC seeks to expand the map, national analysts like the Cook Political Report currently rate the NC-13 race as solid Republican. This divergence highlights the tension between internal party optimism and external polling projections regarding party control.
Local voters in the 13th District should anticipate an increase in campaign activity and political messaging as the election approaches. This designation ensures the district remains a focal point for national party resources and advertising efforts through November.
The takeaway
Voters should be aware that party designations like the Districts in Play program are primarily organizational tools for fundraising rather than guarantees of campaign funding. Understanding these labels helps clarify which races national committees are prioritizing as they battle for the House majority.
Further reading
For more on how major parties select target regions, explore the Political Parties section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NC Newsline.
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