BY MILES LAYTON
Laurie Buckhout, a Republican from Edenton who Democrat Don Davis narrowly defeated for the 1st Congressional District in 2024, announced that she is not running for Congress. Buckhout endorsed Sandy Roberson, a candidate in the Republican primary for the 1st Congressional District.
Buckhout cited health reasons and injuries sustained during her military service in Iraq as to why she will not run again.
“I’ve sort of kept this under my hat, but I would like folks to know why I am not running for Congress again. I also want to take this opportunity to advocate for something as well,” Buckhout posted to social media. “I have severe damage to my kidneys from burn pit exposure in Iraq. It results in frequent infections and the body’s inability to filter impurities. I can no longer handle hot weather and adverse conditions, and although some wonderful people have asked me to run again, I think a public servant needs to be fit to serve. I had a couple of serious health incidents during my own campaign last year, and I realized I would not be able to do it again.”
Buckhout continued, “Next, this is a very silent disease, and it impacts many, many servicemembers. I’m going to be working to advocate for them, for more testing, and for early intervention.”
Buckhout endorsed Roberson, the two-term Republican Mayor of Rocky Mount, who announced his plans to run for Congress in April.
“Even though I’m not running, I am always passionate about conservative leadership and for this reason, and many others, I am so proud to endorse Sandy Roberson for Congress,” Buckhout said.
Buckhout was tapped to serve as deputy assistant secretary of defense for cyber policy in March by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
“For starters, don’t feel sorry for me, as I have found new joys in serving President Trump and Secretary Hegseth, and I believe in living each day to the fullest. I am grateful and blessed,” she posted.
Let’s step back for a moment to talk about the upcoming 2026 election cycle for the 1st Congressional District, which is sure to be one of the most competitive races in the nation, certainly the most heated race in North Carolina.
Last time around, just a few months ago during the November election, Davis, who was running for reelection, did not secure a majority of the votes cast (49.5%/186,341 votes) in a three-way race, he narrowly defeated Republican Buckhout, a resident of Edenton, who captured 47.8%/180,034 votes) with Libertarian candidate Tom Bailey garnering 2.6 % – 9,949 votes. Remember, a Democrat has represented the 1st District since the late 1800s so for a race to be that close speaks volumes about what’s to come.
“We came the closest last election in securing a Republican congressman for the first time in the history of the first district,” said Harvey West, Republican chairman of the 1st District Congressional District at Tyrrell County’s annual GOP convention in March. “Now, Laurie Buckhout ran an excellent race. She came the closest that any Republican congressional candidate has ever come.”
Davis has been busy during the past several weeks, making stops in Elizabeth City and Camden and other spots across the 1st Congressional District.
