North Carolina 1st District
Don Davis (D) holds this seat and is running again. 3 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Don Davis
Democrat · holds this seat today
DLiberty Score DOn the liberty side in 71 of 100 votes and bills.
Raised $5,805,482 since January 2025: 57% from people, 33% from PACs and other committees, 10% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Laurie Buckhout
Republican · retired Army colonel, electronic warfare officer
ALiberty Score A100 out of 100 across 5 principles. Graded on what Buckhout has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Buckhout.
Raised $4,787,737 since January 2025: 50% the candidate’s own money, 23% from people, 16% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Laurie Buckhout. Laurie Buckhout: A, 100 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. Don Davis: D, 65 out of 100 from recorded votes.
Voting in North Carolina: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Laurie Buckhout, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Buckhout, so the grade above comes from this list: what Buckhout has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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Her campaign issues page says the United States must have the strength to protect itself from China, Iran and Russia.
“The United States must have the strength by all means necessary to protect us from countries like China, Iran, and Russia and to defend our allies like Israel.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Confronting the regimes in Beijing, Tehran and Moscow by strength is the side of the tyranny principle that stands against them.
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She supports sending funding and weapons to Ukraine, with accountability for where the money goes.
“we are defending the Ukraine's with funding and weapons right now, I think that's appropriate.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing aid to Ukraine against Russia is with liberty on free nations.
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She said Israel has the right to defend itself against an aggressor, including in Gaza.
“if they continue to attack, Israel's right is to defend themselves.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing Israel's right to defend itself is with liberty on free nations.
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After a Supreme Court ruling against the President's tariffs, she said the ruling does not reflect the will of the people and that the tariffs put America on an equal footing in trade.
“I don't think that this ruling really reflects the will of the people right now. We've been taken advantage of for decades with unfair trade practices, and this is putting America back on an equal footing.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Defending broad tariffs imposed on imports from other countries is the against side of free markets.
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Her campaign issues page says the country needs to cut regulations on American innovation and energy.
“we need to slash the regulations strangling American innovation and unleash American energy to power our tech sector.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Less regulation is on the side of free markets.
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She said a strong and ready military keeps American enemies in check.
“A strong and ready military deters American enemies and establishes peace here at home.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing a strong, ready military is with liberty on defense.
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She said Congress should deport those who are not in the country legally and fix the asylum process.
“we also need to fix our broken asylum process and deport those that are not here legally.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Deporting those who are here illegally is with liberty on borders.
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She called for finishing the border wall and restoring the Remain in Mexico policy.
“we need to secure our southern border and that starts by finishing the wall”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
A wall and border security are with liberty on borders.
Also on the ballot
Tom Bailey (Libertarian).
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
Who should win this race, and why?
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North Carolina 1st District
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