Rep. Don Davis, a North Carolina Democrat seeking re-election, is facing accusations from his Republican challenger, Laurie Buckhout, that he is “beholden” to President Biden and dismissive of constituent concerns. In response, Davis highlighted his efforts to deliver for families in eastern North Carolina, announcing over $13 million in community project funds for various projects in eight counties. He emphasized that he is committed to representing the people of his district and that he is “only beholden to the families of eastern North Carolina.”
Davis, an Air Force veteran, refuted Buckhout’s claim that he is controlled by Biden and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, stating that his focus is on advocating for the needs of farmers, military families, and young people in his district. Despite Buckhout’s criticisms, Davis stated that he is focused on fighting for the families of eastern North Carolina and ensuring their voices are heard in Washington, D.C. He highlighted his track record of bipartisanship and urged voters to examine his voting record as they assess his qualifications for re-election.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by families in his district, Davis mentioned that there are significant concerns regarding rising costs, health disparities, and access to affordable healthcare and medications. He emphasized that he is actively engaging with constituents, having made over 170 stops in the district, and expressed empathy for those struggling to make ends meet. Davis also noted that his constituents have raised concerns about broadband access and infrastructure, highlighting the need for these issues to be addressed in order to support economic development and connectivity in the region.
The North Carolina General Assembly recently adopted new congressional district boundaries, which now include additional counties in the 1st Congressional District, excluding Wayne County. Davis, who has been in Congress since 2023 and previously served in the state Senate, is preparing to face off against Buckhout in the upcoming general election. The race has been ranked as a “Democrat Toss Up” by the Cook Political Report, indicating that it is expected to be closely contested.
As the election approaches, Davis continues to campaign on his record of serving the people of eastern North Carolina and advocating for their needs in Washington. Buckhout has criticized Davis for his ties to President Biden, while Davis maintains that he is focused on representing his constituents and addressing the challenges facing the region. With concerns about rising costs, healthcare disparities, broadband access, and infrastructure needs at the forefront, both candidates are vying for the support of voters in the 1st Congressional District. The outcome of the election will ultimately determine who will represent the district in Congress and work to address the various issues impacting the community.
