Kelly Daughtry, who finished first in the Republican nomination primary race for a North Carolina congressional seat, has decided to suspend her campaign. Despite having the most votes among 14 candidates in the primary, she did not reach the 30% threshold needed to win outright. Her decision to suspend the campaign came after former President Donald Trump endorsed her rival, Brad Knott, in the upcoming runoff election. Daughtry stated that it was no longer feasible for her to continue in the race after Trump’s endorsement of Knott, and she expressed her respect for the democratic process and Trump’s endorsement. Knott also received an endorsement from Fred Von Canon, who finished third in the primary.
Daughtry’s decision to suspend her campaign means that even though her name will remain on the ballot, she is throwing her support behind Knott. Early in-person voting for the runoff election continues through May 11, with absentee balloting having taken place for weeks. Knott accepted Daughtry’s endorsement but cautioned supporters that the election was not over yet. Despite Daughtry’s withdrawal, Knott urged his supporters to get out and vote in the runoff election on May 14. The North Carolina 13th Congressional District, which covers all or parts of eight counties around Raleigh, is currently represented by Democrat Wiley Nickel, who chose not to seek reelection due to redistricting.
With Nickel not running for reelection, the Democratic departures from the race in the 13th District could have a significant impact on the upcoming election. The redistricting of the district last fall skewed it more towards the right politically, leading other Democratic incumbents like Jeff Jackson and Kathy Manning to also not run for reelection. This shift in the district’s political makeup could give Republicans a better chance at retaining their narrow U.S. House majority in the upcoming election. Despite the changes in the district and the withdrawal of some Democratic candidates, the GOP runoff winner in the 13th District will face a fall Democratic rival, Frank Pierce. The outcome of the election will determine the makeup of the U.S. House entering 2025.
