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1st Congressional District · 2026 U.S. House · Unofficial result

U.S. House, 1st District: what did each candidate actually say they'd do?

IN PLAIN ENGLISH

Rep. Don Davis (D) ran for re-election against Laurie Buckhout (R) and Libertarian Tom Bailey. With all precincts reporting, Davis leads by 10,305 votes. Results are unofficial until certified. Bailey had no campaign website we could find. Check your own address on the NC State Board of Elections voter lookup to confirm your district.

Davis leadsAll counties reporting; unofficial until certified1
50.07%Davis (D): 156,5641
46.77%Buckhout (R): 146,2591
3.16%Bailey (Libertarian): 9,8801
10,305Vote margin of 312,703 cast1

Do they have a plan?

We read every issue on each candidate's own website and checked the same six things for every one. We count what's there. We don't grade whether the ideas are good. Read the full scoring rules

Of the issues on their website, how many...Tom BaileyLaurie BuckhoutDon Davis
Names a policyNo website found0 of 8
0 of 6
Says how they'd do itNo website found0 of 8
0 of 6
Includes a number or targetNo website found0 of 8
0 of 6
Says how it's paid forNo website found0 of 8
0 of 6
Gives a timelineNo website found0 of 8
0 of 6
Points to a recordNo website found0 of 8
3 of 6

The candidates, side by side

Each topic shows every candidate's own words on it, in alphabetical order, from their own website. "Nothing on this topic" means their site doesn't cover it. Topic rows are grouped by us from their headings; the scores don't change.

Tom BaileyLibertarian
Laurie BuckhoutRepublican
Don DavisDemocrat
Who they are
Tom Bailey
No campaign website found as of 11/5/2026.
Laurie Buckhout
retired Army colonel
Don Davis
incumbent. His site says "Now in his second term as a U.S. Congressman".3 The issue summaries sit in expandable sections on his priorities page; we read them with the sections open.2
Guns
Tom Bailey
No campaign website found
Laurie Buckhout
Protect the 2nd Amendment"She will stand strong against the extremists who mock our hunting heritage and would punish law-abiding gun owners with additional red tape."4
None of the six checks
Don Davis
Nothing on this topic
Immigration and the border
Tom Bailey
No campaign website found
Laurie Buckhout
Keep Our Border Secure"Laurie will focus on ensuring our border patrol agents have the resources they need to keep dangerous drugs out of our country."4
None of the six checks
Don Davis
Nothing on this topic
Veterans
Tom Bailey
No campaign website found
Laurie Buckhout
Support Our Veterans"Laurie's promise to fellow veterans does not end when they return home, she will not rest until our veterans receive the proper care they deserve."4
None of the six checks
Don Davis
Our Military and Veterans"In Congress, he's fighting to improve veterans' healthcare, reduce delays in benefits, support military families, and strengthen VA services."2
None of the six checks
Schools and education
Tom Bailey
No campaign website found
Laurie Buckhout
Nothing on this topic
Don Davis
Education and Living the American Dream"In Congress, he's fighting to strengthen our schools, expand early childhood education, make college and workforce training more affordable, and invest in the next generation of North Carolina's leaders." Record: "While serving in the North Carolina state senate, he passed 90 pieces of legislation to expand health care coverage, lower utility rates, fund rural schools, and expand broadband internet access."2, 3
Points to a record
Farms and rural areas
Tom Bailey
No campaign website found
Laurie Buckhout
Protect Our Farmers and Fishermen"She's committed to cutting unnecessary regulations and ensuring these communities have the resources they need to thrive for generations to come."4
None of the six checks
Don Davis
Rural Infrastructure"Don Davis has helped secure millions in infrastructure investments for eastern North Carolina because strong communities depend on strong infrastructure." Also: "expand reliable high-speed internet so families, students, and businesses can succeed in every corner of our region." Record: "While serving in the North Carolina state senate, he passed 90 pieces of legislation to expand health care coverage, lower utility rates, fund rural schools, and expand broadband internet access."2, 3
Points to a record
Technology and privacy
Tom Bailey
No campaign website found
Laurie Buckhout
Lead on Technology and AI"We need to slash the regulations strangling American innovation and unleash American energy to power our tech sector."4
None of the six checks
Keep Digital Innovation in America"With a background in cyber warfare and policy, she supports clear, pro-growth rules for digital assets that protect consumers and keep innovation in America."4
None of the six checks
Don Davis
Nothing on this topic
Taxes, jobs and the economy
Tom Bailey
No campaign website found
Laurie Buckhout
Turning Our Economy Around"Laurie will fight to cut taxes so hardworking families can get ahead." Record: "founded and grew a successful cyber and defense business, creating jobs and hiring primarily veterans"4, 5
None of the six checks
Don Davis
Lowering the Cost of Living"Don Davis is fighting to lower prescription drug prices, make housing more affordable, and protect working families from price increases that hit their wallets the hardest." Record: "While serving in the North Carolina state senate, he passed 90 pieces of legislation to expand health care coverage, lower utility rates, fund rural schools, and expand broadband internet access."2, 3
Points to a record
Jobs and Economic Growth"Don is working to create jobs in eastern North Carolina, help small businesses grow, attract new investment to rural communities, and expand workforce training."2
None of the six checks
Defense and foreign policy
Tom Bailey
No campaign website found
Laurie Buckhout
Support Our Nation's Military"Laurie is committed to investing in our nation's military to continue asserting our dominance over all threats, foreign and domestic."4
None of the six checks
Don Davis
Nothing on this topic
Other
Tom Bailey
No campaign website found
Laurie Buckhout
Nothing on this topic
Don Davis
A Practical Approach"Don believes results matter more than partisan politics." His site adds: "he works with independents, Republicans, and Democrats, who are willing to put eastern North Carolina first."2
None of the six checks
Their record
Tom Bailey
None listed
Laurie Buckhout
  • Retired Army colonel and Iraq War veteran, by her own account. Says she was Acting Assistant Secretary of War for Cyber Policy in the Trump administration.5 Her site lists no elected office.
Don Davis
  • Air Force veteran, educator and former mayor, by his own account. Served six terms in the North Carolina state senate and has been in Congress since 2023.3
In their words
Tom Bailey
None
Laurie Buckhout

"Eastern North Carolina needs a fighter, not another career politician, and she will be ready to deliver on day one."

Laurie Buckhout, campaign site5

"Families in Eastern North Carolina need a champion to fight for lower costs, better jobs, a stronger economy, and lower healthcare costs."

Laurie Buckhout, campaign site4
Don Davis

"Don believes results matter more than partisan politics."

Don Davis, campaign site2

"Families across eastern North Carolina are feeling the pain of increased gas prices, higher grocery bills, and rising healthcare costs."

Don Davis, campaign home page6
Where we read it
Tom Bailey
No campaign website found (checked 11/5/2026)
Laurie Buckhout
Website: lauriebuckhoutforcongress.com/ (checked 11/5/2026)
Don Davis
Website: votedondavis.com/ (checked 11/5/2026)

The middle

Where they agree

  • Both name lower costs for families. Davis is "fighting to lower prescription drug prices, make housing more affordable"; Buckhout wants "lower costs, better jobs, a stronger economy, and lower healthcare costs."2, 4
  • Both say veterans need better care. Davis: "improve veterans' healthcare, reduce delays in benefits." Buckhout: "receive the very best care when their mission is complete."2, 4
  • Both mention eastern North Carolina's farms. Davis: "strengthen family farms." Buckhout: "stand up for Eastern North Carolina's multigenerational farmers, fishermen, and seafood industries."2, 4

Where they really split

  • Economy: Buckhout "will fight to cut taxes so hardworking families can get ahead." Davis lists jobs and wants to "expand workforce training."2, 4
  • Style: Buckhout calls herself "a fighter, not another career politician." Davis says "he works with independents, Republicans, and Democrats."2, 5
  • Schools: Davis wants to "expand early childhood education" and "make college and workforce training more affordable." Buckhout's site has no education heading.2, 4

What each one leaves out

  • Davis's six issue sections name no policy, bill or number. Three point to his past (90 state bills; "millions in infrastructure investments") without naming a bill, project or date.2, 3
  • Buckhout's eight issues name no policy, number, cost or funding source, and none points to a past action of hers on an issue. Her business background is life story, which our rules don't count. Her site has no sections on health care or housing by name.4
  • Tom Bailey (Libertarian) is on the ballot, but we found no campaign website for him.
Sources (checked 11/5/2026)
  1. NC State Board of Elections results, statewide, unofficial (100% of precincts reporting, last county upload Nov 4, 2026 4:13 PM): er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/03/2026&county_id=0&office=FED&contest=0
  2. Don Davis campaign, Eastern North Carolina First (issue sections, read with the sections expanded): votedondavis.com/delivering-new-page
  3. Don Davis campaign, About: votedondavis.com/about
  4. Laurie Buckhout campaign, Issues: lauriebuckhoutforcongress.com/issues
  5. Laurie Buckhout campaign, About: lauriebuckhoutforcongress.com/about
  6. Don Davis campaign, Home: votedondavis.com/