Defeated Republican

Democrat Don Davis defeats Laurie Buckhout in key North Carolina House race

Republicans had viewed Davis’ eastern North Carolina seat as a top target this cycle after redistricting turned it more conservative.

By Nicholas Wu

Democratic Rep. Don Davis defeated Republican challenger Laurie Buckhout in a key North Carolina House district, The Associated Press projected.

Republicans had viewed Davis’ eastern North Carolina seat as a top target this cycle after redistricting turned it more conservative. The district, which is largely rural with a significant Black population, went from one that President Joe Biden won by about seven percentage points in 2020 to one Biden won by 1.7 points in 2020.

Buckhout had tried to link Davis to the Biden administration’s border policies, heavily focusing on immigration throughout the campaign. Davis defended his own voting record in Congress and tried to tie Buckhout to Republicans’ scandal-plagued gubernatorial nominee, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson.