The Republican primary runoff for a North Carolina congressional district on Tuesday highlights former President Donald Trump’s influence on GOP politics across the country. Voters will choose between Kelly Daughtry and Brad Knott for the reconfigured 13th Congressional District. Trump endorsed Knott in April, leading Daughtry to suspend her campaign, but the runoff continued with both names on the ballot. Turnout is expected to be low, and Democrats have no primaries in the state. The former president has a history of intervening in North Carolina politics, and this year marks the second time he has endorsed a Daughtry opponent.
The 13th District seat, representing eight counties in or close to the capital of Raleigh, was retooled to the right by the Republican-controlled legislature, prompting current Democratic U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel not to run for reelection. The GOP expects to add three U.S. House seats from North Carolina in the fall election due to redistricting. Despite being the top fundraiser and vote-getter in the March primary, Daughtry failed to avoid a runoff by not garnering at least 30% of the vote. She essentially ended her campaign in response to Trump’s endorsement of Knott, a former assistant U.S. attorney from Raleigh. Trump referred to Daughtry as a “Republican in Name Only” and criticized her past contributions to Democratic candidates.
In addition to the congressional race, runoffs for the statewide offices of lieutenant governor and state auditor are also on the ballot. For lieutenant governor, Hal Weatherman and Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O’Neill are in the runoff, and the winner will face Democratic state Sen. Rachel Hunt. The GOP auditor’s runoff features candidates Jack Clark and Dave Boliek, who will face Democratic State Auditor Jessica Holmes. Libertarian Party candidates are also running for auditor and lieutenant governor. GOP runoff voting is open to registered Republicans and unaffiliated voters who either voted in the March Republican primaries or didn’t vote at all.
Trump’s endorsement of Knott has reshaped the dynamics of the election, leading to Daughtry’s decision to effectively end her campaign. Trump’s involvement in North Carolina politics is evident from his previous endorsements and impact on the outcomes of various races. The runoff for the 13th District seat will determine the Republican candidate to face Democrat Frank Pierce in November. With Trump’s continued influence on GOP politics, the results of this runoff could show the extent of his power within the party and its implications for the upcoming elections in North Carolina and beyond.
