
Don Davis
North Carolina 01
Incumbent
“My vision for NC 01 is: we must meet our constituents where they are, ensuring they are seen and heard in Washington, D.C., to make life better for all families and provide hope and assurance they are not forgotten… We will keep advocating for our families, our farmers, our veterans, our students, and the future we believe in.” (Press Release, 4/24/25)
BACKGROUND + EXPERIENCE
Congressman Don Davis was raised in Snow Hill, NC. At 29 he became the youngest mayor of Snow Hill and served seven years. He was elected to the State Senate in 2008 and served six terms.
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Davis holds a bachelor's degree in Social Sciences from the US Air Force Academy and was an Air Force Officer for eight years. He has a master's degree in Administration from Central Michigan University, a master's degree in Sociology, and a doctorate in Education from East Carolina University.
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Davis has spent his life answering the call to serve as a veteran, educator, minister, and public servant. In 2022, he was elected to represent North Carolina’s first Congressional district comprised of 19 eastern NC counties. He was re-elected in 2024.
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Davis is now the Vice Ranking member of the powerful House Committee on Agriculture and the Vice Ranking member of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness.
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He lives in Greene County, NC with his wife Yuvonka and their three sons.
ON THE ISSUES
Representative Davis has a steadfast commitment to government that works for the people. His specific priorities, as detailed on his campaign website, include:
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• Rebuilding our rural economy
• Providing accessible healthcare
• Support for veterans and military families
• Strengthening education
• Building rural infrastructure
• Protecting women’s rights and health
• Protecting the environment
• Ensuring equity and Justice
POLITICS IN NORTH CAROLINA + DISTRICT 01
North Carolina has voted for the Republican candidate in all but one presidential election since 1980. An exception was in 2008 when a plurality of North Carolinians voted for Barack Obama. Trump carried the state by 3.2% in 2016. North Carolina's US Senators are both Republican. Four of the state’s 14 members of the House are Democrats.
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In addition to NC 01, the other major race in the state in 2026 will be for the US Senate seat held by Republican Thom Tillis. Democratic Congressman Wiley Nickel has declared for the seat. Tillis may face a primary challenge
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Congressman Davis defeated Republican Laurie Buckhout by 1.7% in 2024. Significantly, a Libertarian party candidate earned 2.6% of the vote. Fifty-one percent of the voters in the district supported Trump over Harris in ‘24.
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Due largely to gerrymandering by the Republican-controlled legislature, NC 01 was the only competitive North Carolina House race in ‘24. Davis is in a select group of 13 Democrats who won in districts carried by Trump in 2024. The National Republican Congressional Committee is targeting this seat in the 2026 midterms.
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Republican Sandy Roberson is running for the seat in ‘26. He is mayor of Rocky Mount, NC and was a candidate for the district in ‘22. Other Republican candidates may yet declare. The North Carolina ‘26 primary election date has not yet been set.
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The ‘26 race for NC 01 is currently rated Toss-up by The Cook Political Report and Lean Democrat by Sabato’s Crystal Ball. “Toss-up” ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage. “Lean” ratings mean that one party has a small edge but that the race is competitive.
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