US Rep. Don Davis defeats Republican Laurie Buckhout in rematch for NC’s 1st Congressional District

Democratic U.S. Rep. Don Davis is headed back to Washington after defeating Republican challenger Laurie Buckhout in the most expensive U.S. House race in general election history. 

With all 290 precincts reporting, Davis received just under 50% of the vote to Buckhout’s 47%, according to preliminary unofficial results from the North Carolina State Board of Elections. Libertarian challenger Tom Bailey received 3% of the vote. 

“To our volunteers, to every supporter who gave your all to help us on this campaign,” Davis said in his victory speech. “Thank you with all of my heart.”

In her concession speech to supporters, Buckhout said she called to congratulate Davis on his win.

“Tonight the voters of eastern North Carolina made their choice, and I respect it,” she said. “When he succeeds for this district, we all do. But we will hold him accountable.”

The race drew national attention as Republicans looked to expand their majority in the U.S. House and Democrats sought to regain control of the chamber. About $53 million has been poured into the district for ad buys and reservations. 

Democrats committed $29.6 million to support Davis, while Republicans spent $23.3 million backing Buckhout.

Buckhout and Davis faced off in 2024, when Davis defeated Buckhout by 6,307 votes, making it one of the year’s most competitive races. 

But the district is different this election cycle. In 2025, at the urging of President Donald Trump, Republican state lawmakers redrew North Carolina’s congressional maps, shifting the 1st District to include more Republican-leaning voters in hopes of unseating Davis.

The district stretches from the Virginia border north of the Triangle to the Outer Banks. It includes Rocky Mount, New Bern, Roanoke Rapids and Kill Devil Hills. 

Davis, an Air Force veteran and former six-term state senator, was first elected to Congress in 2022.  

During his campaign, he emphasized his work securing federal funding for eastern North Carolina communities, expanding access to health care and addressing the rising cost of living.

Buckhout is a retired Army colonel and defense consultant. She campaigned on lowering costs, securing the border and supporting eastern North Carolina’s farmers and fishermen. 

She also sought to tie Davis to national Democrats and criticized his opposition to President Donald Trump’s legislation. 

Bailey, the Libertarian candidate, offered voters a third option outside the two major political parties. A Vietnam War veteran, Bailey campaigned on voting rights and changes to the federal tax system.

He previously challenged Davis and Buckhout in 2024. In that election, Bailey received about 9,949 votes, more than the margin separating Davis and Buckhout.