Buckhout Wins GOP Primary, Sets Rematch with Davis in North Carolina’s 1st District

Raleigh, NC – Retired U.S. Army Colonel Laurie Buckhout secured the Republican nomination for North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District on Tuesday, setting the stage for a highly anticipated rematch against incumbent Democratic Congressman Don Davis in November. The race is expected to be one of the most competitive in the state, particularly after recent redistricting efforts made the district more favorable to Republican candidates.

A Close Race in 2024, a Shifted Landscape in 2026

Buckhout previously challenged Davis in 2024, losing by a narrow margin of 49.5% to 47.8%, with Libertarian candidate Tom Bailey garnering the remaining 2.6% of the vote. However, the redrawing of the district lines by the state legislature is expected to significantly alter the dynamics of the race. The new map shifts the district from one that supported Donald Trump by approximately 51% in 2024 to one where a Republican candidate would have won by more than 55% of the vote.

Buckhout’s Victory and Campaign Platform

Buckhout won the primary with 39.4% of the vote, defeating four other Republican candidates: Carteret County Sheriff Asa Buck (34.5%), State Senator Bobby Hanig (16.2%), Duplin County Commissioner Eric Rouse (5.4%), and attorney Ashley-Nicole Russell (4.4%). She campaigned on an “America First” agenda, emphasizing results and a commitment to national security. “I’m a proven entity,” Buckhout told WRAL in an interview. “I know how to get stuff done. I’m about results, not excuses. And I think people really are embracing the America First agenda, think it’s good for the country, and I plan on pushing the America First agenda without compromise.”

Financial Backing and PAC Involvement

Buckhout’s campaign benefited from significant financial support, including a $2 million loan from the candidate herself. Even as Asa Buck led in fundraising from individual donors with approximately $255,000, several Political Action Committees (PACs) contributed to Buckhout’s campaign. The “Thank You For Your Attention To This Matter PAC,” funded by Roger Penske, spent at least $90,000 supporting her candidacy, as did the “Eastern Carolina Conservatives Fund.”

Davis’s Position and the General Election Outlook

Don Davis, a moderate Democrat who has occasionally sided with Republicans on issues like agriculture and immigration, is seeking re-election. The general election is expected to be expensive, spanning 23 counties and multiple television markets. A Buckhout victory could shift North Carolina’s Congressional delegation from 10 Republicans and four Democrats to 11 Republicans and three Democrats.

Background: Laurie Buckhout’s Career

Laurie Gaye Moe Buckhout was born in 1961 and served in the United States Army for 26 years, retiring as a Colonel. She served in the Gulf War and, in 2025, served as the acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy under President Donald Trump. She was the Republican nominee for North Carolina’s 1st congressional district in 2024. Buckhout holds a BS from James Madison University, an MS from Webster University, and an MMAS from Army University.