North Carolina 2026 primary election: Votes are in, next steps ahead

GOP candidate Laurie Buckhout has won her primary in Congressional District 1.

Buckhout's win sets up a high-profile House race against Democrat Don Davis. It's a rematch of a November 2024 contest in eastern North Carolina.

"I'm grateful to the voters across Eastern North Carolina who rallied behind our campaign tonight. Republicans are united and ready to send a fighter to Washington," Buckhout said. "Don Davis has spent his time in Congress doing little for this district while voting for the largest tax hike in American history and siding with Washington insiders instead of eastern North Carolina's farmers, workers, and small businesses. I spent my career as a U.S. Army Colonel leading troops in combat and defending this country. Now I'm ready to take that same mission-first leadership to Washington - to stand up to weak politicians like Don Davis and fight for safer communities, a stronger economy, and the people of Eastern North Carolina."

Laurie Buckhout's win sets up a high-profile House race against Democrat Don Davis. It's a rematch of a November 2024 contest in eastern North Carolina.

The decorated combat veteran and Bronze Star recipient will now face off again against the incumbent Davis in the November general election. The two faced off in November 2024 in a contest that Davis emerged as the winner by less than two percentage points in one of the tightest House races in the country.

However, this year's rematch will look different. Republican mapmakers redrew the district last year in an effort to make it significantly more favorable to the GOP.

In Tuesday's primary, Davis ran unopposed. His campaign said he would be spending the evening in Washington, D.C., and watching the results as they came in.

"At this point, we can only focus on what we can focus on. They already made their plans to make things," said voter Kamiya Battle. "They're redrawing the margins in different states as well. We can only show up and do what we can do to make things happen."

"I'm not worried about Democrat or Republican," added Erin Pace of Rocky Mount. "I just do the best I can."

With Buckhout as the clear winner, Davis now faces a much steeper climb to hold onto his seat.

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) congratulated Buckhout.

"Congratulations to Laurie Buckhout on her primary win! As a retired Army Colonel and former Acting Assistant Secretary of War for Cyber Policy, Buckhout has what it takes to defeat do-nothing Don Davis this fall. In Congress, Laurie will be a strong advocate for Eastern North Carolina and help President Trump improve national security, grow the economy, and ensure the success of America's farmers," said NRCC Spokesman Reilly Richardson.

The RNC also took aim at Davis.

"Don Davis betrayed North Carolina, voting in lockstep with Joe Biden's agenda that delivered sky-high costs, rising crime, and an open border, while standing in the way of the America First priorities North Carolinians voted for. Don Davis is a spineless career politician who puts the radical left ahead of his district, and Laurie Buckhout will send him into permanent retirement this November, RNC spokeswoman Emma Hall said.

Democrats quickly attacked Buckhout.

"Laurie Buckhout has no real interest in serving the people of eastern North Carolina. Her priority is acting as another rubber-stamp for the same Washington politicians who are making everyday life more expensive for North Carolinians," said DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene. "While Don Davis was busy fighting for affordable health care, lowering costs, and bringing money back home, Laurie was rubbing shoulders with Washington elites and doing everything she could to stay out of North Carolina. This November, voters are going to send Don Davis - a trusted fighter - back to Congress."

Buckhout won against a strong challenge from Asa Buck as well as three other candidates in the GOP field. She finished with nearly 40% of the vote with all 292 precincts reporting. Buck finished second with 34.45% of the tally.

The winner of November's general election between Buckhout and Davis could ultimately have an impact on the balance of power for the U.S. House in Washington.

Michael Whatley, backed by President Donald Trump, prevailed in a field of spirited contenders in the Republican Senate primary. GOP voices quickly reacted to his victory.

NCGOP:
"We are proud to stand behind Michael Whatley as our nominee and are energized to elect a leader who will fight every day for lower taxes, safe communities, and strong borders for North Carolina families. The contrast could not be clearer in this race: Republicans will always stand for the American people, and Radical Roy Cooper will join out-of-touch Washington Democrats to side with illegal aliens and violent criminals."

RNC Statement:

"Congratulations to my friend Michael Whatley on his primary victory," said RNC Chairman Joe Gruters. "I've seen firsthand how hard Michael works - he's a true workhorse and a relentless fighter for President Trump and the America First agenda. He cares deeply about North Carolina and will put the state FIRST by delivering safer communities, a stronger economy, and secure borders. Republicans are united and ready to win."

RNC Regional Office

"Whether it's releasing 3,500 violent criminals, turning North Carolina into a sanctuary for illegals, or forcing girls to share locker rooms with men, Roy Cooper has proven time and again that he puts the radical left's agenda ahead of North Carolinians. In November, voters will reject this corrupt career politician and send Michael Whatley to the Senate to keep their communities safe, put more money back in their pockets, and put North Carolina first," said RNC spokeswoman Emma Hall.

NRSC:

"While Michael Whatley will fight alongside President Trump in the U.S. Senate to put violent criminals behind bars and keep North Carolina safe, Roy Cooper puts criminals like Iryna Zarutska's killer first. Cooper's incompetent hurricane recovery and support for higher taxes, soft-on-crime policies, and biological males in women's sports are out of step with working families," said NRSC Regional Press Secretary Nick Puglia.

Whatley will face Democrat Roy Cooper in November.

Reaction was swift from various Democratic voices after former Gov. Roy Cooper easily won the primary in his bid for a U.S. Senate seat.

DNC Chair Ken Martin:
"Tonight, the DNC congratulates Governor Roy Cooper for winning the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in North Carolina. Governor Cooper is a fighter who has always put working North Carolinians first. Throughout his time as Governor, Cooper showed time and time again that he shows up and delivers results for working families by creating high-paying jobs, expanding access to affordable health care, and working across the aisle and with business leaders to create an economic boom in the Tar Heel state. As a U.S. senator, Governor Cooper will wake up every morning and work to, as he puts it, 'make stuff cost less.' The DNC will be on offense, supporting him to ensure that North Carolinians have leaders who put them first."

DSCC Statement:

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand released a joint statement:

"From expanding Medicaid for hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians to bringing good-paying jobs to the state and tackling crime, Governor Roy Cooper has always been a champion for North Carolina families. Governor Cooper's strong leadership, enthusiastic support across North Carolina, and unmatched electoral record will power his campaign to victory, and he will flip North Carolina's Senate seat.

"While Governor Cooper has dedicated his career to fighting for North Carolina, Michael Whatley has only fought for himself and his special-interest backers. Whatley is a political insider and lobbyist who spent his career doing the bidding of big corporations, while North Carolina has paid the price. Whatley is only looking out for himself, and in November, voters will reject his self-serving politics and send Governor Cooper to the Senate."

Senate Majority PAC:

"Roy Cooper just won the Democratic nomination, and North Carolina Republicans should be nervous," said Senate Majority PAC Spokesperson Lauren French. "As governor, Cooper didn't just talk about the results; he delivered them. Half a million North Carolinians got health coverage. More than 640,000 jobs were created. And a landmark program wiped out more than $4 billion in medical debt. That's what governing actually looks like.

"Then there's Michael Whatley, a man so tangled in special interest money that 'conflict of interest' might as well be his campaign slogan. But serving North Carolina isn't about feathering your own nest, and its next senator shouldn't treat the job like an enrichment opportunity.

"The choice is simple: a proven governor who puts people first or a party operative who's spent his career putting himself first. North Carolinians know the difference, and they'll elect Roy Cooper in November because of it."

Cooper will face off against Republican Michael Whatley.

Former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and ex-Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley each won their party's U.S. Senate nominations in North Carolina on Tuesday, setting the bout for a fall campaign that could determine control of the chamber.

Whatley and Cooper were victorious in their respective primary elections over crowded fields seeking the seat being vacated by Thom Tillis, who chose last June not to seek a third term. The two announced their candidacies weeks later and had been essentially ignoring intraparty rivals and their respective sides, going after each other almost daily.

True to form, both candidates wasted no time taking shots at each other ahead of what figures to be a heated Senate campaign.

Former Gov. Roy Cooper seeks to win the seat now held by retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis.

"I'm humbled and excited to accept the Democratic nomination to become the next United States Senator from the great state of North Carolina," Cooper said. "We know our work in this race is just beginning. Right now, everyday people in our state are being left behind as the cost of groceries, utilities, and health care are skyrocketing."

My opponent, Michael Whatley, has cheered on policies coming out of Washington that are spiking costs and devastating families, farmers, and small business owners who are just trying to make ends meet. I'm running for Senate to be an independent voice for North Carolinians, and I'll work with anyone to make stuff cost less for families in our state."

Michael Whatley has never run for office and faces Roy Cooper -- who has never lost a statewide election -- in November's general election.

Whatley quickly countered on Tuesday night.

"Republicans are united, and now the real campaign begins," Whatley said. "This election is a clear choice. Voters will choose between an agenda that supports and prioritizes the working families of North Carolina and law-abiding citizens, or Roy Cooper's agenda that prioritizes the desires of radical political activists ahead of public safety and affordability for working families."

Whatley said the race will focus on public safety, border security, health care costs, and affordability, drawing a direct contrast with Cooper's record as governor.

"As North Carolina governor, Roy Cooper released inmates, blocked cooperation with immigration enforcement, and presided over rising costs, including some of the highest health care expenses in the country," Whatley said. "Families are paying more but feeling less safe."

Cooper will face off against Republican Michael Whatley.

Cooper's race entry brought optimism to Democrats aiming to take back the Senate this year with a net gain of four seats. Democrats view the most likely path as winning in North Carolina, Maine, Alaska, and Ohio. With Cooper, Democrats have a popular two-term governor who served 24 consecutive years in statewide office.

Whatley, who is also a former state GOP chairman, entered the race when President Donald Trump endorsed him after Lara Trump, the president's daughter-in-law, declined to run. Donald Trump won North Carolina in all three of his presidential elections.

"November is about the future of this state and nation," Whatley said. "Safer communities, lower costs, and leadership that puts law-abiding Americans first."

Whatley will face Democrat Roy Cooper in November.

Tillis' decision not to seek a third term came as the president called publicly for a primary challenge to him because of his opposition to Trump's big tax breaks bill, particularly for the Medicaid cuts contained within.

- The Associated Press contributed.