(The Center Square) – In one of the most competitive U.S. House races in the nation, the candidates have stuck to party lines on energy policy.
Republican Laurie Buckhout has called for a return to Trump-era energy policies, as she runs to be the first Republican elected to the U.S. House District 1 since 1883. Democratic incumbent Rep. Don Davis has pushed for more investments into cleaner energy.
The race is considered the only truly competitive congressional race in North Carolina and Davis is favored to win. For North Carolina voters, a recent poll from The Carolina Journal found that only 2.6% consider energy/environment their top issues.
For the Democrat, who was first elected in 2022, pollution is a top concern.
“Don believes eastern North Carolina should be a safe, healthy place to live and raise children – with clean air and water, free from the dangers of toxic pollution,” says his campaign website. “Air and water pollution and the impacts of the climate crisis often disproportionately impact our poorest families, working-class communities, and communities of color, who are more likely to live in areas where air and water pollution exceed national standards.”
Buckhout has pushed back against Democrat-pushed bans or restrictions on fossil fuel products.
“My opponent Don Davis gave his full endorsement to Kamala Harris for President,” Buckhout posted on social media. “Don supports her RADICAL agenda for this country, including killing American energy jobs.”
While neither have said much about electric vehicle mandates or other green energy programs, Davis has touted electric vehicle bus programs, calling them a “fantastic development.”
“We had a fantastic time at Bertie County High School, where we unveiled a brand-new charging station for EV school buses,” he said on social media. “Bertie County is changing how we get kids to school while reducing health risks, improving the environment, and saving money.”
Buckhout has called out Davis for his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for president, saying North Carolinians will not be able to survive another four years of the “Biden-Harris-Davis economy and poor energy practices.”
“Just a reminder before ballots start being cast: Kamala Harris said last night, ‘her values have not changed,’” she said on social media. “Kamala WILL ban fracking or just regulate it into non-existence, killing American jobs and our energy independence.”
Instead, Buckhout has called for a change in District 1 and a return to America being energy independent.
“Don Davis and House Democrats voted AGAINST the Lower Energy Costs Act that would have promoted further American energy production and driven down costs,” she posted. “Republicans up and down the ballot MUST win in November so we can make America energy independent again!”
In his time as a representative, Davis has focused on “rural infrastructure,” which includes encouraging investments into innovative technology training programs and pushing for more economic developments in rural areas.
“It’s about ensuring our communities have access to reliable, affordable energy while protecting public health and the environment,” he said at a news conference for the announcement of a federal grant for new gas pipes in the Rocky Mount community. “And it’s about creating opportunities for economic growth and prosperity across the east.”
