(The Center Square) – The only congressional seat from North Carolina that can be won before the general election is headed for a runoff.
Lobbyist Addison McDowell, endorsed by former President Donald Trump, stands between the return of former Congressman Mark Walker to the Beltway representing the 6th Congressional District in the Triad. Democrats do not have an opponent running in November.
In unofficial voting totals Tuesday with all precincts in the district reporting, McDowell received 26.1% of the votes and Walker 24.1% in the Republican primary. They were trailed by Christian Castelli (21.1%), Bo Hines (14.4), Jay Wagner (9.2%) and Mary Ann Contogiannis (5.2%).
The U.S. House District 6 race was intriguing because Walker won a seat in Congress in 2014, served through 2020, and initially said in 2023 he would run for governor. Hines was endorsed in another district by Trump in the 2022 midterms. It was McDowell earning Trump’s endorsement this time around. Walker has also been supportive of the nation’s 45th president.
The U.S. House District 1 primary between Republicans Sandy Smith and Laurie Buckhout also captured attention. Buckhout won with 54.1% of the vote to 45.9% for Smith.
On the November ballot are Rep. Don Davis, the Democratic incumbent, and Libertarian Tom Bailey. The district is considered the most 50/50 of the state’s 14 by those who observe the map drawing process.
Change has been known since the filing period. Five of 14 representatives decided not to run for reelection. Citing redistricting maps were Democratic Reps. Jeff Jackson, Kathy Manning and Wiley Nickel. Choosing to face each other for attorney general are Republican Reps. Dan Bishop and Jeff Jackson.
The race in the 13th Congressional District also failed to have a winner clear 30% plus one vote. The date of the second primary for those two contests is May 14.
All terms are two years.
In other districts:
• U.S. House District 2: Incumbent Rep. Deborah Ross easily defeated Michael Camero 94.3%-5.7% in the Democrats’ primary. In the Republican, Alan Swain (59.8%) advanced over Eugene Douglass (22.4%) and Robert Morales Vergara (17.8%).
On the November ballot is Michael Dublin of the Green Party.
• U.S. House District 4: The Republican primary was won by Eric Blankenburg (71%) over Max Ganorkar (29%).
The November ballot includes Rep. Valerie Foushee, the Democratic incumbent, and Libertarian Guy Meilleur.
• U.S. House District 5: Rep. Virginia Foxx, the incumbent, had no trouble denying challenger Ryan Mayberry in the Republican primary. Foxx had 67.8%, Mayberry 32.1%.
Democrat Chuck Hubbard is the opponent in November.
• U.S. House District 8: The closely watched Republican primary here went to pastor and former congressional candidate Mark Harris (30.4%), just clearing the runoff threshold in a Republican-favored district for November. He was followed by Allan Baucom (27%), state Rep. John Bradford, R-Mecklenburg, (17.8%), Don Brown (10.5%), Leigh Brown (9.6%) and Chris Maples (4.7%). The Browns are not related.
Democrat Justin Dues awaits in November.
• U.S. House District 9: Rep. Richard Hudson, the incumbent, defeated Troy Tarazon 83.4%-16.7% in the Republican primary. Democrat Nigel William Bristow is the opponent in the fall.
• U.S. House District 10: In another closely watched race, Pat Harrigan (41.2%) clipped state Rep. Grey Mills, R-Iredell, (38.9%). Farther back were Brooke McGowan (10.1%), Charles Eller (6.9%) and Diana Jimison (2.9%).
Democrat Ralph Scott Jr. and Libertarian Steven Feldman did not face primaries.
• U.S. House District 11: Rep. Chuck Edwards, the incumbent, turned back Christian Reagan 68.9%-31.1%. Democrat Caleb Rudow awaits in November.
• U.S. House District 13: In a 14-candidate Republican primary, Kelly Daughtry just missed avoiding a second primary. She garnered 28.4% of the votes. The rest of the field included Brad Knott (17.9%), Fred Von Canon (16.4%), DeVan Barbour (16.3%), Josh McConkey (6.9%), Kenny Xu (4.1%), David Dixon (2.5%), Matt Shoemaker (2.3%), Chris Baker (1.3%), Eric Stevenson (1%), Marcus Dellinger (0.9%), Siddhanth Sharma (0.7%), James Phillips (0.7%) and Steve Loor (0.5%).
Democrat Frank Pierce is on the ballot in November.
• U.S. House District 14: Victors were Republican Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, (75%) over Jeff Gregory (12.9%) and Lillian Joseph (12.1%); and Democrat Pam Genant (60.9%) over Brendan Maginnis (39.1%). Moore is the House speaker.
The following district(s) did not have primaries; candidates on the November ballot are listed:
• U.S. House District 3: Libertarian Gheorghe Cormos; incumbent Republican Dr. Greg Murphy.
• U.S. House District 7: Democrat Marlando Pridgen; incumbent Republican David Rouzer.
• U.S. House District 12: Incumbent Democrat Alma Adams; Republican Addul Ali.
