(Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)
Gerrymandering has sucked the suspense out of most of North Carolina’s congressional races. The winners in 13 of 14 congressional district races were essentially decided last spring after the primaries.
Republicans in the state legislature drew the congressional districts to produce 10 or 11 Republican winners and three or four Democratic winners. The First Congressional District was the only competitive district.
Districts drawn by a court for the 2022 election resulted in a 7-7, Democrat-Republican split in the state’s congressional delegation. A 2023 decision by a new Republican majority on the state Supreme Court allowed Republicans in the legislature to create districts to their liking.
In the one competitive race in the state — the First District in eastern North Carolina — Democratic incumbent Don Davis led Republican challenger Laurie Buckhout by 49.7% to 47.6% at 10:57 p.m. Libertarian Tom Bailey had 2.7%.
In the Second District, the Associated Press projects that incumbent Democrat Deborah Ross of Raleigh won a third term, defeating Republican Alan Swain of Raleigh and Green Party candidate Michael Dublin of Garner. As of 10:30 p.m., Ross led Swain by a margin of 68% to 30%. Dublin had just under 2%.
In the Third District, the Associated Press projects that incumbent Republican Greg Murphy won reelection to Congress, where he’s served since 2019. Murphy defeated Libertarian Gheorhe Cormos of Cape Carteret. As of 10:30 p.m., Murphy led Cormos by a margin of 77% to 23%.
The Associated Press projects that incumbent Democrat Valerie Foushee of Hillsborough has won a second term representing the Fourth District. She defeated Libertarian Guy Meilleur of Durham and Republican Eric Blankenburg of New Hill. As of 10:30 p.m., Foushee led Blankenburg by a margin of 73% to 25%. Meilleur had just under 2%.
The Associated Press projects that incumbent Republican Virginia Foxx of Banner Elk has won her tenth term representing the Fifth District, defeating Democrat Chuck Hubbard of Wilkesboro. As of 10:30 p.m., Foxx led by a margin of 60% to 40%.
The Associated Press projects that Republican Addison McDowell of Winston-Salem defeated Constitution Party candidate Kevin Hayes of Faison to win his first term representing the Sixth District. As of 10:30 p.m., McDowell led by a margin of 70% to 30%.
The Associated Press projects that Republican incumbent David Rouzer of Wilmington won a fifth term representing the Seventh District, defeating Democrat Marlando D. Pridgen of Whiteville. As of 10:32 p.m., Rouzer led by a margin of 61% to 39%.
The Associated Press projects that Republican Mark Harris of Indian Trail defeated Democrat Justin E. Dues of Concord to win his first term representing the Eighth District. As of 10:33 p.m., Harris led by a margin of 59% to 41%.
The Ninth District remains too close to call. As of 10:40 p.m., Republican Richard Hudson of Southern Pines led Hamlet Democrat Nigel William Bristow and independent candidate Shelane Etchison by wide margins in his bid to win a seventh term. As of 10:40 p.m., Hudson led Bristow by a margin of 55% to 37%. Etchison had just under 8%.
Four candidates ran to represent the Tenth District. The Associated Press projects that Republican Pat Harrigan of Hickory defeated Democrat Ralph Scott Jr. of Statesville, Libertarian Steven Feldman of Winston-Salem and Constitution Party candidate Todd Helm of Winston-Salem to secure his first term. As of 10:35 p.m., Harrigan had received 59%, Scott was at 37%, Feldman had just under 3% and Helm had 1.4%.
The Associated Press projects that incumbent Republican Chuck Edwards of Flat Rock won a second term representing the 11th District, defeating Democrat Caleb Rudow, a state House member from Asheville. As of 10:37 p.m., Edwards led by a margin of 57% to 43%.
In the 12th District, the Associated Press projects that incumbent Democrat Alma Adams of Charlotte defeated Republican Addul Ali, also of Charlotte, to win her sixth full term in Congress. As of 10:38 p.m., Adamas led by a margin of 74% to 26%.
The Associated Press projects that Republican Brad Knott of Raleigh defeated Raleigh Democrat Frank Pierce to win his first term representing the 13th District. As of 10:39 p.m., Knott led by a margin of 59% to 41%.
In the 14th District, the Associated Press projects that state House Speaker Tim Moore of Kings Mountain won a first congressional term, defeating Pam Genant of Valdese. As of 10:40 p.m., Moore led by a margin of 58% to 42%.
Though 13 North Carolina districts were designed to yield lopsided results, election night results are unofficial and vote totals will likely change over the coming days as local boards of election consider provisional, military, and overseas civilian ballots. The state Board of Elections is scheduled to meet Nov. 26 to certify the results.