North Carolina's congressional elections in new districts go as expected • NC Newsline

Gerrymandering has taken the tension out of most congressional races in North Carolina. The winners in 13 of 14 congressional district races were essentially determined last spring after primaries.

Republicans in the state legislature picked congressional districts to produce ten or eleven Republican winners and three or four Democratic winners. The 1st Congressional District was the only competitive district.

The districts drawn by a court for the 2022 election resulted in a 7-7 split between Democrats and Republicans 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 only competitive race in the state – the First district in Eastern North Carolina – Democratic incumbent Don Davis led Republican challenger Laurie Buckhout 49.7% to 47.6% as of 10:57 p.m. Libertarian Tom Bailey had 2.7%.

In the Second districtthe Associated Press predicts that the incumbent Democrat Deborah Ross of Raleigh won a third term, defeating Republican Alan Swain of Raleigh and Green Party candidate Michael Dublin of Garner. At 10:30 p.m., Ross Swain was leading by a margin of 68% to 30%. Dublin had just under 2%.

In the Third districtthe Associated Press predicts that the incumbent Republican Greg Murphy won re-election to Congress, where he has 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 predicts that the incumbent Democrat Valerie Foushee of Hillsborough won a second term as representative 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 predicts that the incumbent Republican Virginia Foxx of Banner Elk won her tenth term as representative Fifth districtand defeated Democrat Chuck Hubbard of Wilkesboro. At 10:30 p.m., Foxx led by a margin of 60% to 40%.

The Associated Press understands that Republicans Addison McDowell of Winston-Salem defeated Constitution Party candidate Kevin Hayes of Faison to win his first term representing the Sixth district. At 10:30 p.m., McDowell led by a 70% to 30% margin.

The Associated Press understands Republicans are the incumbent David Rouzer of Wilmington won a fifth term representing the Seventh Districtand defeated Democrat Marlando D. Pridgen of Whiteville. At 10:32 p.m., Rouzer led by a margin of 61% to 39%.

The Associated Press understands that Republicans 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 Associated Press believes Republican Richard Hudson of Southern Pines won the election Ninth District by defeating Hamlet Democrat Nigel William Bristow and independent candidate Shelane Etchison by a wide margin to win a seventh term. At 1 a.m., Hudson led Bristow by a margin of 56.5% to 37.5%. Etchison had just under 6%.

Four candidates stood as representatives Tenth District. The Associated Press understands that Republicans 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 predicts that the incumbent Republican Chuck Edwards of Flat Rock won a second term representing the 11th districtand defeated Democrat Caleb Rudow, a House member from Asheville. At 10:37 p.m., Edwards led by a margin of 57% to 43%.

In the 12th districtthe Associated Press predicts that the incumbent Democrat Alma Adams of Charlotte defeated Republican Addul Ali, also of Charlotte, to win her sixth full term in Congress. At 10:38 p.m., Adamas led by a margin of 74% to 26%.

The Associated Press understands that Republicans Brad Knott of Raleigh defeated Raleigh Democrat Frank Pierce to win his first term representing the 13th district. At 10:39 p.m., Knott led by a margin of 59% to 41%.

In the 14th districtthat's how the Associated Press projects the speaker of the House of Representatives Tim Moore of Kings Mountain won a primary congressional term, defeating Pam Genant of Valdese. As of 10:40 p.m., Moore led by a margin of 58% to 42%.

Although 13 counties in North Carolina were designed to produce lopsided results, e.gElection night results are unofficial and vote totals are likely to change in the coming days as local election boards consider provisional, military and foreign civilian votes. The state elections board is scheduled to meet Nov. 26 to certify the results.