North Carolina's 1st Congressional District

North Carolina redrew its congressional district boundaries in October 2025. Voters will elect representatives under the new map in 2026. Click here to read more about mid-decade redistricting ahead of the 2026 elections.

North Carolina's 1st Congressional District

Incumbent

Donald Davis

Assumed office: January 3, 2023

North Carolina's 1st Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Donald Davis (D).

As of the 2020 Census, North Carolina representatives represented an average of 746,711 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 735,829 residents.

Elections

2024

See also: North Carolina's 1st Congressional District election, 2024

North Carolina's 1st Congressional District election, 2024 (March 5 Republican primary)

North Carolina's 1st Congressional District election, 2024 (March 5 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House North Carolina District 1

Incumbent Donald Davis defeated Laurie Buckhout and Tom Bailey in the general election for U.S. House North Carolina District 1 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Donald Davis (D)	49.5	186,341
		Laurie Buckhout (R)	47.8	180,034
		Tom Bailey (L)	2.6	9,949

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 376,324
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• John Schaffer (Independent)

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Donald Davis advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 1.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Brian Moutoux (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 1

Laurie Buckhout defeated Sandy Smith in the Republican primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 1 on March 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Laurie Buckhout	53.5	33,893
		Sandy Smith	46.5	29,471

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 63,364
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Christine Villaverde (R)
• Fred Von Canon (R)

Libertarian primary election

The Libertarian primary election was canceled. Tom Bailey advanced from the Libertarian primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 1.

2022

See also: North Carolina's 1st Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House North Carolina District 1

Donald Davis defeated Sandy Smith in the general election for U.S. House North Carolina District 1 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Donald Davis (D)	52.4	134,996
		Sandy Smith (R)	47.6	122,780

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 257,776
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Eshan Patel (Independent)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 1

Donald Davis defeated Erica Smith, Jason Spriggs, and Jullian Bishop Sr. in the Democratic primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 1 on May 17, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Donald Davis	63.2	42,693
		Erica Smith	31.1	21,012
		Jason Spriggs	3.1	2,123
		Jullian Bishop Sr.	2.6	1,752

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 67,580
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 1

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 1 on May 17, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Sandy Smith	31.4	13,621
		Sandy Roberson	26.7	11,603
		Billy Strickland	13.9	6,050
		Brent Roberson	13.8	5,992
		Brad Murphy	9.5	4,128
		Will Aiken	3.0	1,285
		Ernest Reeves	1.2	523
	Submit photo	Henry Williams	0.5	202

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 43,404
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2020

See also: North Carolina's 1st Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House North Carolina District 1

Incumbent G.K. Butterfield defeated Sandy Smith in the general election for U.S. House North Carolina District 1 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		G.K. Butterfield (D)	54.2	188,870
		Sandy Smith (R)	45.8	159,748

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 348,618
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent G.K. Butterfield advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 1.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Deandre Carter (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 1

Sandy Smith defeated Michele Nix, James Glisson (Unofficially withdrew), and Ethan Baca in the Republican primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 1 on March 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Sandy Smith	77.3	31,490
		Michele Nix	9.9	4,030
	Submit photo	James Glisson (Unofficially withdrew)	7.4	3,031
		Ethan Baca	5.4	2,206

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 40,757
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2018

See also: North Carolina's 1st Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House North Carolina District 1

Incumbent G.K. Butterfield defeated Roger Allison in the general election for U.S. House North Carolina District 1 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		G.K. Butterfield (D)	69.8	190,457
		Roger Allison (R)	30.2	82,218

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 272,675 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 1

Incumbent G.K. Butterfield advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 1 on May 8, 2018.

		Candidate
✔		G.K. Butterfield

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 1

Roger Allison advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House North Carolina District 1 on May 8, 2018.

		Candidate
✔		Roger Allison

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

See also: North Carolina's 1st Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Democratic. Incumbent G.K. Butterfield (D) defeated H. Powell Dew Jr. (R) and J. J. Summerell (L) in the general election on November 8, 2016. No candidate faced a primary opponent on June 7, 2016.

U.S. House, North Carolina District 1 General Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	G.K. Butterfield Incumbent	68.6%	240,661
	Republican	H. Powell Dew Jr.	29%	101,567
	Libertarian	J. J. Summerell	2.4%	8,471
Total Votes				350,699
Source: North Carolina State Board of Elections

2014

See also: North Carolina's 1st Congressional District elections, 2014

The 1st Congressional District of North Carolina held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent G.K. Butterfield (D) defeated Arthur Rich (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, North Carolina District 1 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	G.K. Butterfield Incumbent	73.4%	154,333
	Republican	Arthur Rich	26.6%	55,990
Total Votes				210,323
Source: North Carolina State Board of Elections

2012

See also: North Carolina's 1st Congressional District elections, 2012

The 1st Congressional District of North Carolina held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012, in which incumbent G.K. Butterfield (D) won re-election. He defeated Pete DiLauro (R) and Darryl Holloman (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, North Carolina District 1 General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	G.K. Butterfield Incumbent	75.3%	254,644
	Republican	Pete DiLauro	22.9%	77,288
	Libertarian	Darryl Holloman	1.8%	6,134
Total Votes				338,066
Source: North Carolina State Board of Elections "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

2010
On November 2, 2010, G.K. Butterfield won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Ashley Woolard in the general election.

United States House, North Carolina General Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	G.K. Butterfield incumbent	59.3%	103,294
	Republican	Ashley Woolard	40.7%	70,867
Total Votes				174,161

2008
On November 4, 2008, G.K. Butterfield won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Dean Stephens in the general election.

United States House, North Carolina General Election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	G.K. Butterfield incumbent	70.3%	192,765
	Republican	Dean Stephens	29.7%	81,506
Total Votes				274,271

2006
G.K. Butterfield (D) ran unopposed for re-election in 2006.

2004
On November 2, 2004, G.K. Butterfield won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Greg Dority in the general election.

United States House, North Carolina General Election, 2004
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	G.K. Butterfield incumbent	64%	137,667
	Republican	Greg Dority	36%	77,508
Total Votes				215,175

2004 special
On July 20, 2004, G.K. Butterfield won election to the United States House. He defeated two candidates in the special general election.

U.S. House, North Carolina District 1 Special election, 2004
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	G.K. Butterfield	71.2%	48,567
	Republican	Greg Dority	27.1%	18,491
	Libertarian	Thomas I. Eisenmenger	1.8%	1,201
Total Votes				68,259
Source: Results via North Carolina State Board of Elections

2002
On November 5, 2002, Frank W. Wallance, Jr. won election to the United States House. He defeated Greg Dority (R) and Mike Ruff (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, North Carolina District 1 General Election, 2002
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Frank W. Wallace, Jr.	63.7%	93,157
	Republican	Greg Dority	34.8%	50,907
	Libertarian	Mike Ruff	1.4%	2,093
Total Votes				146,157

2000
On November 7, 2000, Eva M. Clayton won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Duane E. Kratzer, Jr. (R) and Christopher Sean Delaney (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, North Carolina District 1 General Election, 2000
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Eva M. Clayton incumbent	65.6%	124,171
	Republican	Duane E. Kratzer, Jr.	32.9%	62,198
	Libertarian	Christopher Sean Delaney	1.5%	2,799
Total Votes				189,168

Redistricting

2020-2023

See also: Redistricting in North Carolina after the 2020 census

North Carolina redrew its congressional map ahead of the 2026 elections. The state Senate approved a new congressional map on October 21, 2025, and the state House followed on October 22, 2025. The New York Times' Eduardo Medina wrote, "Republicans already have control of 10 of the state’s 14 congressional seats. The new map could give them an extra seat in the First Congressional District, which previously included all eight of the state’s majority Black counties and has now been redrawn to include more conservative-leaning counties. The district is currently held by Representative Don Davis, a Democrat."

How does redistricting in North Carolina work? In North Carolina, the state legislature is responsible for drawing both congressional and state legislative district lines. District maps cannot be vetoed by the governor. State legislative redistricting must take place in the first regular legislative session following the United States Census. There are no explicit deadlines in place for congressional redistricting.

State law establishes the following requirements for state legislative districts:

• Districts must be contiguous and compact.
• Districts "must cross county lines as little as possible." If counties are grouped together, the group should include as few counties as possible.
• Communities of interest should be taken into account.

There are no similar restrictions in place regarding congressional districts.

Below are the congressional maps in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle. The map on the right was in effect for North Carolina’s 2024 congressional elections.

North Carolina District 1
before 2020 redistricting cycle

Click a district to compare boundaries.

North Carolina District 1
after 2020 redistricting cycle

Click a district to compare boundaries.

See also: Redistricting in North Carolina after the 2010 census

North Carolina's congressional district plan was subject to litigation following its adoption in 2011. Two challenges to the plan were heard by the Supreme Court of the United States: Cooper v. Harris, which was decided in 2017, and Rucho v. Common Cause, which decided on June 27, 2019. As a result of Rucho, North Carolina's congressional district plan was upheld. For more complete information, see this article.

District analysis

See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index

See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores

2026

Heading into the 2026 elections, based on results from the 2024 and 2020 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district is R+1. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 1 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made North Carolina's 1st the 215th most Democratic district nationally.

2024

Heading into the 2024 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+1. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 1 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made North Carolina's 1st the 220th most Republican district nationally.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have defeated Donald Trump (R) 50.4%-48.8%.

2022

Heading into the 2022 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+2. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 2 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made North Carolina's 1st the 194th most Democratic district nationally.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have received 53.2% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 45.9%.

2018

Heading into the 2018 elections, based on results from the 2016 and 2012 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+5. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 5 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made North Carolina's 1st Congressional District the 171st most Democratic nationally.

FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 0.96. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 0.96 points toward that party.

See also

• Redistricting in North Carolina
• North Carolina's 1st Congressional District election, 2024
• North Carolina's 1st Congressional District election, 2022
• North Carolina's 1st Congressional District election, 2020
• North Carolina's 1st Congressional District election, 2018

External links

• GovTrack District 1

Footnotes

[show]

North Carolina's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Ted Budd (R)

Thom Tillis (R)

Representatives

District 1

Donald Davis (D)

District 2

Deborah Ross (D)

District 3

Gregory Murphy (R)

District 4

Valerie Foushee (D)

District 5

Virginia Foxx (R)

District 6

Addison McDowell (R)

District 7

David Rouzer (R)

District 8

Mark Harris (R)

District 9

Richard Hudson (R)

District 10

Pat Harrigan (R)

District 11

Chuck Edwards (R)

District 12

Alma Adams (D)

District 13

Brad Knott (R)

District 14

Timothy Moore (R)

Republican Party (12)

Democratic Party (4)