Republican will seek congressional seat again

May 14—HIGH POINT — The 6th Congressional District race may turn into a rematch of the general election contest this past fall.

Republican challenger Lee Haywood told The High Point Enterprise Thursday that he will run again for the seat. The 6th District contest will be decided in the November 2022 general election.

Haywood, a longtime Guilford County resident and GOP activist, lost in the 2020 race to freshman Rep. Kathy Manning, D-6th.

Last year's contest, which Manning won with 62% of the vote, was the first one in a redrawn district that covers all of Guilford County, parts of southeastern Forsyth County and Winston-Salem.

Haywood said his campaign will focus on three areas — restoring respect for law enforcement and first responders, eliminating deficit spending, and education reform.

"Washington needs more small business owners who understand the struggle of everyday Americans," said Haywood, who has operated a small business for 38 years. "I will always put Main Street above the woke corporations of Wall Street."

Manning said through a campaign representative that she'll run on her record.

"Since being sworn into office in January, Congresswoman Manning has helped to pass the American Rescue Plan to get shots in arms, kids back to school and our economy moving again," the campaign representative told The Enterprise. "Congresswoman Manning has also introduced legislation to protect students, and her office has helped small businesses get PPP loans and veterans get the care they need from the VA."

A wild card for the 6th District race next year, as well as all congressional contests in North Carolina, centers on how district boundaries may change. Maps will be drawn for Congress and the N.C. General Assembly by state legislators based on results of the U.S. census.

North Carolina's population growth during the past decade will give the state a 14th congressional district, which could further complicate drawing district lines.

Candidate filing for congressional, state and county elections is scheduled to begin in December, with primaries in March 2022.

pjohnson@hpenews.com — 336-888-3528 — @HPEpaul