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With a new redistricting map that heavily favors Republicans, there are five open seats in North Carolina’s 14-member congressional delegation in the year’s election.
One incumbent is retiring from Congress. Two are leaving Washington to run against each other for state attorney general, and two others declined to run for reelection after getting drawn into gerrymandered districts.
The FEC’s third quarter, spanning from July to September, is the penultimate filing period prior to the election in November. Reports were due on Tuesday — three weeks before Election Day.
The reports for North Carolina are fairly standard. Incumbents are outraising and outspending their challengers in all but one district: the heavily Republican 11th, where Democrat Caleb Rudow is looking to upset incumbent Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards.
NC Newsline examined what these five outgoing members are doing with their campaign cash.
U.S. Rep. Kathy Manning (Photo: House.gov)
Manning donates to fellow Democratic campaigns
Outgoing Democratic U.S. Rep. Kathy Manning, who opted not to seek reelection after the maps were redrawn, didn’t report bringing in any money this period.
But she donated heavily to support other vital races: $10,000 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, $2,000 each to vulnerable Democratic Sens. Jacky Rosen of Nevada and Sherrod Brown of Ohio, and a few thousand to a number of Democratic candidates running for the U.S. House.
Manning contributed to down-ballot races in North Carolina as well, sending money to the Democratic nominees for Lt. Governor and schools Superintendent, Rachel Hunt, and Mo Green, as well as a handful of state legislative candidates.
After spending $133,015.97 during this filing period, Manning retains $77,847.92 on hand.
Manning has represented North Carolina’s 6th congressional district, covering the Piedmont Triad and its surrounding areas, since 2021. She hasn’t said publicly what she’ll do next after leaving Congress.
The newly drawn district includes Caswell and Rockingham counties.
Republican Addison McDowell, endorsed by former President Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Ted Budd, is likely to win the seat in the general election.
U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel (Photo: House.gov)
Nickel prepares for Senate run in 2026
After redistricting placed U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel in a heavily Republican district, the Democrat announced his intention to run for the U.S. Senate in 2026.
He hasn’t done too much fundraising or spending for that election yet. After all, two years out, Democrats are focusing on 2024: winning the presidency, keeping the Senate, and flipping the House.
So far, Nickel is the only candidate to file paperwork for the seat held by incumbent U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis.
Nickel’s disbursements detail fees for payroll, banks, travel, and lodging. He reported spending $27,500 on consulting with Authentic Campaigns, a group that’s supported candidates like Govs. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Katie Hobbs of Arizona.
There aren’t reports of donations to any specific candidates in other races.
Nickel raised $72,491.62 and spent $71,265.52 this period, leaving him with $737,442.99 in the bank.
He’s a first-term congressman representing North Carolina’s 13th congressional district, currently including metro Raleigh. The new map extends the district over the region to pack in more Republican voters.
Republican Brad Knott, a Trump-backed candidate, will likely win the seat in November.
U.S. Rep. Jeff Jackson (Photo: House.gov)
Jackson indicates no more federal campaign money
Democratic U.S. Rep. Jeff Jackson filed a termination report on Sept. 20. This means he no longer intends to receive contributions or expenditures at the federal level.
It’s not a surprising move; he’s running for attorney general in North Carolina. As a result, he’ll file his campaign reports instead at the state level, where the next deadline is Oct. 29 for the period between July 1 and Oct. 19.
Jackson received $4,394.86 — via two transactions from a bank — and spent $658,514.65 in the filing period. There is no money in his federal campaign account.
He donated $657,744.65 to the North Carolina Democratic Leadership Committee. It’s possible some of this money cycles back to him in his attorney general bid.
The remainder of his campaign’s contributions were for maintenance fees.
Jackson has represented the state’s 14th congressional district since 2023, a seat created around metro Charlotte after the 2020 census.
North Carolina Republican House Speaker Tim Moore will likely win the seat in November and head to Washington.
U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop (Photo: House.gov)
Bishop keeps his federal campaign cash account open
Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop will face off against Jackson in the attorney general contest.
Like Jackson, he’s filing his campaign finance reports for that race at the state level.
But Bishop hasn’t closed his federal campaign bank account yet. He reported gaining $22,406.03 — marked as refunds, interest, and dividends — and spending $7,391.23. He’s got $1,248,402.30 left on hand.
The expenditures are standard: flights, meals, bank service charges. There are no reported contributions to other campaigns or races.
By keeping his federal campaign account open, it’s possible Bishop is teeing up for another congressional bid in the future.
Bishop has held North Carolina’s 8th congressional seat since 2019. The district covers the area between Charlotte and Greensboro.
Republican Mark Harris will likely be the district’s next representative after the election.
U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry (Photo: house.gov)
McHenry funds NRCC, state legislative races
U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry announced last year his decision not to seek another term, opting instead for retirement.
The Republican has held North Carolina’s 10th congressional seat since 2005, and he rose to national prominence when he acted as Speaker pro tempore of the House for 22 days after the chamber ousted Kevin McCarthy.
McHenry hasn’t publicly announced his next steps yet. In the meantime, he’s sharing his campaign cash.
He reported receiving $5,699.79 and spending $267,338.78 this period, leaving $1,934,302.41 in his war chest.
McHenry donated $125,000 to the National Republican Congressional Committee, which could help the party keep the majority in the House.
He’s helping out with down-ballot races as well. Along with sending money to a handful of state legislative candidates, McHenry gave $15,000 each to the North Carolina Republican House Caucus, the North Carolina Senate Republican Caucus, and the North Carolina Judicial Fund.
Covering Catawba, Forsyth, Iredell, Lincoln, and Yadkin counties, the 10th congressional district is considered the most Republican in the state. Republican Pat Harrigan will likely win in November.