Meet U.S. House Candidate
Don Davis
North Carolina 01
Incumbent
Why This Race Matters
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.
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. Tillis will not seek re-election due, in part, to his opposition to several Trump Administration policies. Popular former Democratic governor Roy Cooper and former state Republican party chair Michael Whatley will compete in the general election to replace Tillis. Whatley was endorsed by Trump. Democrats have not won a Senate election in North Carolina since 2008.
North Carolina redrew its congressional districts in 2025. Voters will elect representatives under the new map in 2026. Republican-led gerrymandering caused NC 01 to change shape, in part, to oust incumbent Davis. Following redistricting, Davis decided to run for re-election in the “new” district. Since many voters will be new to him and despite the fact the district now leans Republican, he faces a challenging but not insurmountable bid to hold this seat. With the completion of the 3/3/26 Primary, Republican Laurie Buckhout and Conservative Tom Bailey will face Don in November 2026.
With redistricting complete, both Cook and Sabato currently rate this race as Lean R indicating that Republicans have a small edge, but the race is competitive.
Hear directly from Rep. Davis in this short video:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
- 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
“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."
