Four Republican contenders for North Carolina’s First Congressional District delivered a spirited, values-driven debate Thursday night, Feb. 19, 2026, demonstrating their commitment to conservative principles and readiness to defend the district’s interests in Washington.

The forum, hosted at the Greenville studios of WNCT and Inner Banks Media and moderated by WNCT’s Ken Wallington and Russ Bowen, offered voters a clear view of candidates prepared to fight for limited government, secure borders, rural economic growth, and support for America’s allies abroad.

The candidates debated earlier this month. Coverage of that debate can be found in our related story.

Thursday night’s debate can be viewed online on the WNCT website.

Candidates Laurie Buckhout, Bobby Hanig, Eric Rouse, and Asa Buck presented robust conservative solutions to key challenges, including trade, disaster relief, rural healthcare, energy, immigration, and foreign policy. The winner of the Republican primary will face Democratic incumbent Don Davis in November.

Ashley Nicole Russell is also running in the Republican primary, but did not rank high enough in the polls to be asked to attend the debate.

“All four are vying for your vote in the Republican primary for North Carolina District One,” Inner Banks Media’s Henry Hinton said at the start. “They’re running to win a critical seat in Congress that could determine the balance of power.”

Standing up for farmers with strong trade policies

The debate opened with a focus on tariffs and their effect on local farmers, especially tobacco growers who have faced challenges in the global market.

Buckhout highlighted the need to defend American industry.

“I think that the tariffs are a temporary measure to address a trade imbalance that previous Democrat presidents have been putting into practice that have put us in a really terrible position in terms of tariffing our goods at ridiculous rates, while allowing other nations to pour their cheap and their untariffed products into America,” she said. “It’s time that we level the playing field. President Trump is a master negotiator, and we’re gonna come out on top. It takes a little bit of time to get there.”

Buck echoed that point, emphasizing patience and strategy.

“Sometimes there has to be some short-term pinch in order to affect a long-term gain and level the playing field,” he said.

Rouse, representing the farming perspective, acknowledged short-term pain but expressed confidence in strong leadership. “It’s absolutely hurting their livelihood. China pulled out completely. They’re not buying. They didn’t issue any contracts this year. But Trump is a master negotiator. He knows what he’s doing.”

Hanig focused on practical support for farmers. “They understand we need to stay the course. In the meantime, we have to work on getting their input costs down. It’s hitting them on their chemicals, on their pesticides, and it’s hitting them on their seeds.”

Throughout the discussion, the four candidates demonstrated a shared commitment to fair trade, protecting American farmers, and supporting the free-market principles that underpin the country’s economy.

Reforming FEMA: Putting states in charge

The candidates addressed disaster relief and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. All agreed that Washington’s heavy-handed bureaucracy has failed local communities.

Buck called for empowering states. “Most things should be passed down to the state level, where you have people who are more responsive and more accountable to the people. Just provide that funding to the state and let the folks on the state level get that relief out to where it needs to be.”

Rouse advocated a bold approach. “Sometimes you need to break something to fix it, and FEMA’s definitely a candidate for that. We need to come in there and do a complete overhaul.”

Hanig agreed that federal inefficiency hinders disaster response. “FEMA’s unfixable. The bureaucracy is so bloated. It’s so convoluted, and they can’t manage it. So there’s no way to fix FEMA. That money needs to come to the States.”

Buckhout reinforced a conservative principle: federalism. “The higher you go from where the rubber meets the road, the worse the problem gets. Pushing FEMA capabilities, pushing FEMA money, pushing FEMA responsibilities down to the states is a very important thing to consider.”

Across the board, candidates prioritized local control, accountability, and efficient use of taxpayer dollars — key conservative priorities.

Reviving rural healthcare

Rural healthcare access remains a critical issue, and candidates stressed free-market solutions, regulatory reform, and economic development over big government mandates.

Rouse attacked the failed Obama-era health law.

“Obamacare is not working. Anything that’s subsidized that heavily is a disaster,” he said. He advocated selling insurance across state lines to encourage competition.

Hanig proposed targeted state-level reforms.

“Removing the COA provision so folks can come in, and they can be competitive in the market is critical,” he said, adding that federal funds totaling $50 million could help reopen hospitals.

Buckhout highlighted the economic hardships facing the district. “There are counties in this district that are among the poorest in the United States. You got to have a fighter ready to bring those funds down and help open up rural healthcare opportunities.”

Buck linked healthcare access to job creation. “We have to create an economy here that allows businesses to come in and start new businesses and provide jobs for people.”

All candidates embraced conservative principles of market-driven solutions and targeted support rather than expanding federal entitlement programs.

Fighting inflation and promoting economic growth

Candidates also addressed inflation, energy, and job creation.

Hanig praised the impact of previous Republican policies. “The president has been hard at work for the last year working on reducing all of those costs. Gas prices are down. The cost of basic goods is down.”

Buckhout called out Washington’s spending. “Government doesn’t have a revenue problem. It has a spending problem,” she said, noting the importance of energy independence through “drill, baby, drill” and the “America First agenda.”

Buck cited falling inflation. “Inflation is at the lowest it’s been in five years. We’ve got to get our financial house in order in this country as well.”

Rouse stressed the importance of energy. “Cheap energy equates into affordability. If people have better jobs, and they have better paying jobs, that also helps.”

When asked about industry priorities, Buck said energy projects could create jobs, Rouse emphasized agriculture and aerospace, Hanig highlighted seafood and manufacturing, and Buckhout stressed advocacy for the district. The candidates’ positions reflected a conservative belief that economic growth flows from opportunity and innovation, not expanded federal control.

Border security and immigration enforcement

Immigration and border security drew strong agreement, with all candidates emphasizing enforcement and the rule of law.

Rouse was direct. “If you cross illegally, you’re an illegal immigrant. Trump knows what he’s doing. He shut the border down immediately.”

Hanig framed protection as a core duty of government. “The number one task of an elected official is to protect their citizens.”

Buckhout noted broader threats. “It’s not just the fentanyl. It’s not just the crime. It’s espionage. Illegal immigration is exactly what it says, illegal.”

Buck, drawing on his law enforcement background, highlighted ICE’s track record. “The ICE approach has been effective not just in recent weeks and months, but for about 20 years.”

Candidates’ positions reflected traditional Republican support for strong borders, law enforcement cooperation, and national security.

Supporting Israel and a strong foreign policy

On international affairs, each candidate affirmed support for Israel, a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy and a consistent conservative priority.

Buck said, “It is important that we continue to support them.”

Rouse added, “We absolutely need to stand with Israel.”

Hanig emphasized the security component. “We cannot have peace in the Middle East without a strong military in Israel.”

Buckhout affirmed, “They are a critical ally to us.”

Each said they opposed recognition of Palestine as an independent state.

All four expressed a willingness to rally behind the eventual Republican nominee and to unify the party against the Democratic incumbent.

Closing appeals to voters

In their final remarks, each candidate made a case for their experience, conservative values, and readiness to represent North Carolina’s First District.

Rouse stressed urgency: “We’ve got to beat Don Davis.”

Hanig focused on unity: “We will rally together.”

Buckhout promised advocacy: “We’ll do whatever it takes to get us across the line.”

Buck emphasized control of Congress: “We absolutely must control the Congress.”

Though each candidate brought unique emphasis — Buckhout on federal advocacy, Hanig on legislative experience, Rouse on reform and energy, and Buck on law enforcement and local control — the debate underscored a shared commitment to conservative principles: limited government, free enterprise, strong national defense, and support for hardworking families.

As voters approach the Republican primary, Thursday’s debate offered a clear view of a party ready to champion the values that have made North Carolina’s First District a cornerstone of conservative strength. The four candidates presented themselves as proven advocates for prosperity, security, and American exceptionalism, demonstrating that the district has multiple choices of principled, conservative leadership prepared to take on the challenges of Washington.