Six Republican House Seats Change Hands in North Carolina

North Carolina Democrats won six U.S. House seats on Tuesday, ending the tenure of five Republican incumbents and flipping one district for the first time since 2010.

The most consequential result occurred in the 11th District, a western seat that has favored Republicans since 2010. Jamie Ager, a Buncombe County farmer and businessman, defeated state Representative Jennifer Balkcom with 57.1% of the vote to her 41.3%. Balkcom had entered the race in August after incumbent Chuck Edwards withdrew amid an ethics probe. Ager campaigned as a Mountain Democrat, emphasizing his local ties to the region.

In the 9th District, which covers the central part of the state, Democrat Richard Ojeda defeated six-term incumbent Richard Hudson. With all precincts reported Wednesday morning, Ojeda led with 51.1% of the vote. Ojeda is an Army veteran and former West Virginia state senator who resides in Moore County. Hudson’s campaign had predicted a strong win, arguing that voters rejected Democratic national agendas. Ojeda credited high early voter turnout for his success.

Long-serving Representative Virginia Foxx also lost her seat in the 5th District to Democrat Chuck Hubbard. Hubbard, a former journalist whose family owned the Wilkes Journal-Patriot, defeated Foxx by 99 votes. Foxx had served since 2004 and chaired the House Rules Committee. Her campaign highlighted her role in delaying the release of the Epstein files. Hubbard benefited from strong voter turnout in areas including North Carolina A&T State University.

Three first-term Republicans lost their seats in the 6th, 13th, and 14th Districts. In the 6th District, High Point Mayor Cyril Jefferson led freshman Addison McDowell by more than two percentage points. Jefferson secured large margins in Guilford, Forsyth, and Cabarrus counties. In the 13th District, Democrat Paul Barringer, a health care consultant and attorney, defeated former prosecutor Brad Knott with 50.5% of the vote. Barringer saw strong support in northeastern and southeastern Wake County. In the 14th District, Lakesha Womack defeated former state House Speaker Tim Moore. Womack, a first-time candidate and ordained minister, outperformed Moore in Mecklenburg County despite his strength in surrounding counties.

Two incumbent Republicans won but with narrower margins than in previous cycles. Greg Murphy, a four-term member, won the 3rd District by 233 votes over Raymond Smith. David Rouzer, a six-term member, won the 7th District by 2,425 votes. Races with margins under 1% may face recounts.

Don Davis, a Democrat representing the 1st District, won a third term with 49.8% of the vote against Republican challenger Buckhout, who received 47%. The 1st District was redrawn last year by Republican state lawmakers to disadvantage Democrats. Davis, often cited as the most conservative Democrat in the House, targeted unaffiliated and Republican voters during the campaign. He noted that the people have the final say in redistricting disputes.