A North Carolina Democrat seeking re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives is fending off accusations by his Republican challenger that he is “beholden” to President Biden and ignoring voters’ concerns. We’re fighting,” he said.
Rep. Don Davis, R-North Carolina, said in an interview with Fox News Digital that he and his team are “working hard to reach families in eastern North Carolina.”
“In the past few weeks alone, we have announced over $13 million in community project funding for 15 different projects in eight counties.”
Laurie Buckhout, a Republican running to represent North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, said Davis is a “career politician” who “never ran a business a day in his life.” .
Former Army colonel seeking to flip North Carolina House seat says Democratic opponents should ‘watch’ Biden
Democratic candidate Congressman Don Davis of North Carolina will face Republican Laurie Buckhout in the race to represent North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District. (Getty Images, Laurie Buckhout Campaign)
But Davis, an Air Force veteran, said he “works every day to make sure the voices of the people of eastern North Carolina are heard in Washington, D.C., and that we make connections and tell our stories.” .
He also rejected claims by his Republican challenger that he is receiving “favors” from President Biden and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York.
“To be clear, I would like to thank Colonel Buckhout for her service to our country. But I don’t think she would be any more offended by this whole statement. This is patronizing. It’s not a bad thing,” he said. “I’ve heard of flipping seats. But for me, it’s about fighting every day for the families of Eastern North Carolina.”
“I owe nothing but the families of eastern North Carolina,” Davis said, pointing to the “fight” for farmers and military families in his district.
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“I’m fighting to ensure that our children, our young people, have a future,” he said. “Right now, I’m in the care of that farmer who’s wondering how to keep his farm going. I’m now in the care of young people who believe there’s a future in the East. We are grateful to our veterans and military families who are putting their lives at risk.
“The only people I’m indebted to are the people of eastern North Carolina, and I think people know me.”
Mr. Buckhout, a former Army colonel and first-time candidate, also took aim at Mr. Davis’ voting record.
“We have to acknowledge that Davis is just a surrogate on the ground for Biden,” Buckhout said. “He is his agent, he is his subordinate. He will do what Biden says. He will vote for Biden.”
“The only people I’m indebted to are the people of Eastern North Carolina. And I think people know me,” Davis told Fox News Digital. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, via Getty Images)
But Davis urged voters to focus on his performance in the race. Ranked as “Democratic Toss-Up” By nonpartisan election analyst Cook Political Report.
“Everyone can see my record, which means you’re talking to the third-ranking member of the Congressional Caucus regarding bipartisanship,” Davis said.
Asked about the main concerns of people living in eastern North Carolina, Davis acknowledged, “There’s a big concern right now about cost.”
“Rent, mortgage payments, housing costs, plus the cost of food, it really costs money. And we know that we still have huge health disparities. And on top of that, you have to pay for some medicine. ” he said. “It starts to add up and it puts a lot of stress on families.”
Davis said he has made more than 170 different stops in the district while campaigning for re-election and recognizes “people are hurting.”
“I feel the pain of just trying to make ends meet,” he said.
Among other concerns, Davis, who served as mayor of Snow Hill, N.C., in the early 2000s, said his constituents have been vocal about broadband and infrastructure.
Davis stands alongside Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pennsylvania) and Jared Golden (D-Maine) during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on March 6, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Tierney L. Cross/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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In October 2023, the North Carolina General Assembly adopted new congressional district boundaries, adding the remaining counties of Chowan, Franklin, Greene, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Vance to the state’s 1st Congressional District. . The newly redrawn district no longer includes Wayne County.
Davis, who has served in Congress since 2023 and previously served in the North Carolina State Senate for 10 years, will face Buckhout in the state’s Nov. 5 general election.
