US Rep. Don Davis outraises challenger in NC’s most competitive congressional race

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More money is flowing into the campaign coffers of candidates in North Carolina’s first district than any other congressional contest in the state.

It’s the state’s most competitive congressional election. The district covers much of the northeastern part of North Carolina.

Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Don Davis was the only congressional candidate to break into seven figures for fundraising in the second quarter, taking in slightly more than $1 million. He’s seeking his second term in office.

After spending $246,010, he’s left with $2,621,138 in his war chest. Out of the state’s candidates seeking seats in Congress in November, Davis’s total trailed only U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-5), who has held her seat since 2005. Foxx raised $249,078 and had $2,938,047 in the bank.

The FEC’s second quarter, spanning from April to June, marks the first full period after candidates advanced from the primaries. Candidates were responsible for filing their quarterly campaign finance reports by Monday night.

Davis’s Republican challenger Laurie Buckhout raised $704,440. Unlike previous periods, she did not loan her campaign money from her personal funds. A retired Army colonel, Buckhout previously contributed more than $1 million of her own money to the campaign.

After spending $342,888, she has $600,021 on hand, about a fourth as much as Davis.

In District 9, an independent has raised thousands of dollars, a rare development in a state in which it’s challenging for unaffiliated candidates to appear on the ballot.

Army veteran Shelane Etchison is likely the first independent candidate to make it onto the ballot in a North Carolina congressional race, NC Newsline previously reported.

Etchison raised $141,499 in the second quarter. She spent $58,321 and has $109,594 on hand.

The independent is facing GOP U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson and Democrat Nigel Bristow.

Hudson, who’s been in office since 2013, reported a comparatively sizable war chest of $1,717,431. He raised $555,662 and spent $684,001 over the three months.

By comparison, Bristow raised just $5,004. He has $861 on hand after spending $4,143.

In all nine districts with a returning member of Congress, incumbents outperformed their challengers.

Republican candidates raised more in each of North Carolina’s five open seats.

Addison McDowell is unopposed in District 6. The Trump-backed candidate received $92,654 and spent $132,514, leaving him with $9,500 in the bank. Incumbent Kathy Manning (D) opted not to seek reelection after the maps were redrawn.

In District 8, GOP candidate Mark Harris raised $227,298, spent $99,240, and has $179,939 on hand. His Democratic opponent, Justin Dues, has not filed with the FEC.

There are three candidates seeking election in District 10.

Republican Pat Harrigan raised $189,346, spent $160,607, and finished the quarter with $260,292 in his war chest. Libertarian Steven Feldman received $54,935, leaving $32,529 in the bank after spending $32,453. Democrat Ralph Scott Jr. did not file a report with the FEC.

In District 13, Republican Brad Knott massively outraised Democrat Frank Pierce. Knott received $282,651 compared to Pierce’s $8,968. Knott also received the endorsement of former president Trump.

Knott spent $341,677 and still has $34,432 on hand, while Pierce spent $7,321 and has $2,216 in the bank.

North Carolina House of Representatives Speaker Tim Moore raised $122,446 in his quest for the District 14 congressional seat. He spent $127,679 and has $714,601 remaining. Democrat Pamela Genant has not filed a quarterly report.

Most of the campaign finance reports reflect the fact that the latest round of congressional redistricting enacted by the GOP-dominated state legislature is designed to ensure that their party’s candidates will dominate in the fall. Republicans are all but assured of winning at least 10 seats, while three Democratic incumbents — Representatives Alma Adams (Dist.12), Valerie Foushee (District 4) and Deborah Ross (District 2) — are expected to win easy reelection in districts that heavily favor Democrats. The current delegation, which was elected in 2022 under maps drawn by court appointed special masters, is evenly split 7-7.

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