Don Davis seeks reelection
Democratic Representative Don Davis is officially running for reelection in North Carolina, following a controversial redistricting process that has been perceived as favoring Republican candidates.
In a statement shared on social media, Mr. Davis expressed, “Many feel Washington, D.C., isn’t serving their needs, and the redistricting battle clearly proves it. I’m running in NC-01 to ensure everyone, from the northeast to the coast, has a powerful voice in Congress. We’re in this fight together!”
As one of the most at-risk incumbents heading into the 2026 elections, Mr. Davis represents North Carolina’s only competitive congressional seat.
This week, federal judges permitted the state to proceed with its newly drawn congressional map.
The ongoing struggle over congressional boundaries is part of a broader strategy by former President Trump aimed at helping Republicans maintain their slim majority in the House during the upcoming elections.
After the state legislature approved the new map, Mr. Davis referred to it as “one of the darkest moments of our state’s history.” Notably, while Trump won his previous district by three points, he would have secured victory in the new district by an 11-point margin.
According to filings with the Federal Election Commission, Mr. Davis has raised approximately $1.5 million for his reelection efforts.
By choosing to run again in his current district, Mr. Davis avoids a direct contest against Republican Representative Greg Murphy, who is also seeking to remain in his district amidst significant changes brought about by redistricting.
The Republican primary for Mr. Davis’ district will include Rocky Mount Mayor Sandy Roberson and State Senator Bobby Hanig among others.
A spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee criticized Mr. Davis’s political career: “Career politician Don Davis will lose because eastern North Carolina is sick of his self-serving, two-faced politics.”
In late October, Mr. Davis introduced legislation titled Restoring Electoral Stability to Enhance Trust Act of 2025 aimed at prohibiting mid-decade statewide redistricting and addressing ongoing disputes over electoral boundaries.
