2026 North Carolina (NC-01) US House Voters Guide

Laurie Buckhout (R) vs Don Davis (D)

House of Representatives | Election | Nov 3, 2026

The Candidates

Laurie Buckhout

Laurie Buckhout

Republican

Don Davis

Don Davis

Democrat

Incumbent

The Issues

Abortion

Ban or legal?

Laurie Buckhout (R)

Ban. Is “personally pro-life.” “Would vote to preserve life,” but with exceptions, “of course rape, incest, life of the mother.” Says the states should decide abortion, not the federal government. Calls North Carolina’s ban at 12 weeks “reasonable.”

Don Davis (D)

Mostly legal. Says Congress should “codify Roe v. Wade.” Opposes “these most extreme measures” that some states have taken against abortion. Voted to bar Pentagon spending on abortion surgeries.

Share Their Positions

Climate Change

Should climate change be a top priority?

Laurie Buckhout (R)

No. “Climate change is a global issue and we cannot solve a global issue by regulating American companies out of business.” Wants America to be “energy independent again.” “We need to drill, baby, drill.” Said the U.S. must expedite liquefied natural gas permits.

Don Davis (D)

Mostly yes. Voted to maintain Biden-era clean energy tax credits. Voted to expand development of carbon sequestration. Says the “climate crisis” disproportionately impacts “our poorest families, working class communities, and communities of color.” Voted to denounce Biden’s energy policies.

Share Their Positions

Criminal Justice

How to ensure effectiveness and fairness in law enforcement?

Laurie Buckhout (R)

Opposes redirecting funds from police departments to community programs. “Defunding police in any way increases crime.” Says that the impact of the spread of fentanyl hasn’t been given enough attention.

Don Davis (D)

Will fight for needed criminal justice reform.” Worked to secure funding for rural police departments. Would expand “the Community Oriented Policing Services Program” and ensure “law enforcement agencies have adequate funding.”

Share Their Positions

Economy

Cut or increase government investment in, and regulation of, the economy?

Laurie Buckhout (R)

Cut. “A country flourishes best with the least regulation of capitalism. Government doesn’t build jobs. You build jobs.” Says “reckless spending” is harming the economy. “We need to slash the regulations strangling American innovation.”

Don Davis (D)

Increase investment. Eastern NC “has been left behind by years of underinvestment.” Supports “expanding high-speed internet in rural areas, improving roads, bridges, and transportation.” Introduced a bill to provide grants and loans to rural water systems; such grants will build “stronger local economies.”

Share Their Positions

Education

Use public funding for private and/or for-profit schools?

Laurie Buckhout (R)

Likely yes. Supports voucher programs. Calls for “complete school choice for the poor and middle class to match the school choice already enjoyed by the leftist politicians opposed to school choice for everyone else.”

Don Davis (D)

Unclear. Called for “Eastern North Carolinians” to address a court ruling banning transfer of education funds to poorer school districts. “Our students cannot afford for us to fall short.”

Share Their Positions

Environment

Loosen or tighten environmental regulations?

Laurie Buckhout (R)

Likely loosen. “This green new deal is a scam,…”a green dream that’s never come true.” “People can do with their land as they wish.” Sees “natural gas and oil” as the most reliable sources of electricity.

Don Davis (D)

Mixed. Voted to maintain a 20-year protection against mining upstream from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Introduced a bill to create new plastic recycling standards. Voted to limit environmental review in order to increase forest thinning in fire-prone areas. Voted to expedite and expand mining on public lands.

Share Their Positions

Gun Laws

Loosen or tighten gun laws?

Laurie Buckhout (R)

Loosen. Favors “very few restrictions” on gun ownership. Any restrictions would include “convicted felons, medically determined violent mental incompetents.” Would “protect the Second Amendment.”Will stand strong against the extremists who mock our hunting heritage and would punish law-abiding gun owners with additional red tape.”

Don Davis (D)

Mixed. In 2022 supported “funding school safety, firearm safety programs, trigger locks and an expansion of mental health services.” Opposed an amendment expanding the types of retired service weapons federal law enforcement officers are allowed to purchase. Voted for the final bill that included that amendment. Voted to loosen regulation on “less than lethal projectile devices.”

Share Their Positions

Health Care

Increase or decrease government support for health care?

Laurie Buckhout (R)

Decrease. Opposes expansion of Affordable Care Act subsidies. “We need competition, transparency and choice, not more federal spending.” Calls for reforms “that make health care more affordable without expanding Washington’s control.”

Don Davis (D)

Mostly increase. Voted to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies. Voted to expand funding for prevention of Native American child abuse. Says Congress must work “to make prescription drugs more affordable.” As a state senator, voted to expand Medicaid. Introduced a bill allowing certain drugs to be on the market longer before Medicare could begin negotiating prices.

Share Their Positions

Immigration

How to handle immigration?

Laurie Buckhout (R)

Supports “the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement.” “We have to secure our border.… Our country is being invaded.” “I know what’s coming in down there…. You’ve got folks from all over the Middle East who just hate America.”

Don Davis (D)

Supports more border security and a “fair and humane” immigration system. After shooting deaths in Minneapolis, called for “an end to this violence and disorder.” Voted to require DHS detention of any undocumented immigrant arrested for theft.

Share Their Positions

Iran

Support the war in Iran?

Laurie Buckhout (R)

Yes. “A regime that funds proxy armies while racing toward a nuclear weapon cannot be allowed to operate without consequences.” Regarding foreign military action, “the president must be able to act quickly to protect Americans.”

Don Davis (D)

Mixed. “A regime that supports terror, destabilizes its neighbors, and aims to destroy other nations can’t be trusted.” Voted to require Congressional authorization for U.S. military action in Iran.

Share Their Positions

Labor

Make it easier or harder for unions to organize?

Laurie Buckhout (R)

No position found.

Don Davis (D)

Easier. Sponsored a bill to give public employees the right to join together in a union, bargain collectively, and sue to enforce labor rights.

Share Their Positions

LGBTQ Rights

Limit or expand LGBTQ rights?

Laurie Buckhout (R)

Limit. Calls gender change “a terrible, horrific thing.” Praised North Carolina General Assembly for letting parents know “when somebody wants to try to change a gender on your child.” Says DEI in the military has not “done anybody any good.”

Don Davis (D)

Limit. Voted to criminalize gender transition treatments for minors, including surgery and supplying hormones, subjecting providers to up to 10 years in prison.

Share Their Positions

Minimum Wage

Raise the federal minimum from $7.25 per hour?

Laurie Buckhout (R)

No position found.

Don Davis (D)

Likely yes. As a state senator, sponsored a bill requiring the state to study raising the minimum wage to $15 for noncertified public school employees. Helped negotiate a $15 minimum wage for such employees in a subsequent state budget.

Share Their Positions

Taxes

Raise or lower taxes on corporations and wealthier individuals?

Laurie Buckhout (R)

Lower. Says she supports Trump’s “America First agenda,” including cutting taxes. Wants to “reduce taxes across the board.”

Don Davis (D)

Raise. Voted against extending the 2017 Trump tax cuts, which included, among other tax breaks, a break for the very wealthy and the largest one-time cut in the corporate tax rate.

Share Their Positions

Voting Rules

Make voting harder or easier?

Laurie Buckhout (R)

Harder. “Photo ID should be required for voting.” “My top concern is we are doing everything we can to ensure every legitimate vote is counted and we prevent fake votes.”

Don Davis (D)

Easier. Twice voted against requiring proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. “We must do everything in our power to protect the sacred right to vote.”

Share Their Positions

guides.vote is a nonpartisan effort to show where candidates stand. We do not support or oppose any political party or candidate. We include candidates polling 15% or more. Check out others including Tom Bailey (L). Vote411.org offers guides to local races and how to vote. For campuses, see Campus Vote Project’s state-specific guides to student voting rules.

×
Candidate Image

Laurie Buckhout

republican Party

Candidate Image

Don Davis

democratic Party

Download Image
guides.vote
guides.vote

Laurie Buckhout

republican

Don Davis

democratic

See guides.vote for online guides with links & sourceshttps://www.lauriebuckhoutforcongress.com/https://votedondavis.com/
Abortion

Ban or legal?

Ban. Is “personally pro-life.” “Would vote to preserve life,” but with exceptions, “of course rape, incest, life of the mother.” Says the states should decide abortion, not the federal government. Calls North Carolina’s ban at 12 weeks “reasonable.”Mostly legal. Says Congress should “codify Roe v. Wade.” Opposes “these most extreme measures” that some states have taken against abortion. Voted to bar Pentagon spending on abortion surgeries.
Climate Change

Should climate change be a top priority?

No. “Climate change is a global issue and we cannot solve a global issue by regulating American companies out of business.” Wants America to be “energy independent again.” “We need to drill, baby, drill.” Said the U.S. must expedite liquefied natural gas permits.Mostly yes. Voted to maintain Biden-era clean energy tax credits. Voted to expand development of carbon sequestration. Says the “climate crisis” disproportionately impacts “our poorest families, working class communities, and communities of color.” Voted to denounce Biden’s energy policies.
Criminal Justice

How to ensure effectiveness and fairness in law enforcement?

Opposes redirecting funds from police departments to community programs. “Defunding police in any way increases crime.” Says that the impact of the spread of fentanyl hasn’t been given enough attention.Will fight for needed criminal justice reform.” Worked to secure funding for rural police departments. Would expand “the Community Oriented Policing Services Program” and ensure “law enforcement agencies have adequate funding.”
Economy

Cut or increase government investment in, and regulation of, the economy?

Cut. “A country flourishes best with the least regulation of capitalism. Government doesn't build jobs. You build jobs.” Says “reckless spending” is harming the economy. “We need to slash the regulations strangling American innovation.”Increase investment. Eastern NC “has been left behind by years of underinvestment.” Supports “expanding high-speed internet in rural areas, improving roads, bridges, and transportation.” Introduced a bill to provide grants and loans to rural water systems; such grants will build “stronger local economies.”
Education

Use public funding for private and/or for-profit schools?

Likely yes. Supports voucher programs. Calls for “complete school choice for the poor and middle class to match the school choice already enjoyed by the leftist politicians opposed to school choice for everyone else.”Unclear. Called for “Eastern North Carolinians” to address a court ruling banning transfer of education funds to poorer school districts. “Our students cannot afford for us to fall short.”
Environment

Loosen or tighten environmental regulations?

Likely loosen. “This green new deal is a scam,…”a green dream that’s never come true.” “People can do with their land as they wish.” Sees “natural gas and oil” as the most reliable sources of electricity.Mixed. Voted to maintain a 20-year protection against mining upstream from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Introduced a bill to create new plastic recycling standards. Voted to limit environmental review in order to increase forest thinning in fire-prone areas. Voted to expedite and expand mining on public lands.
Gun Laws

Loosen or tighten gun laws?

Loosen. Favors “very few restrictions” on gun ownership. Any restrictions would include “convicted felons, medically determined violent mental incompetents.” Would “protect the Second Amendment.”Will stand strong against the extremists who mock our hunting heritage and would punish law-abiding gun owners with additional red tape.”Mixed. In 2022 supported “funding school safety, firearm safety programs, trigger locks and an expansion of mental health services.” Opposed an amendment expanding the types of retired service weapons federal law enforcement officers are allowed to purchase. Voted for the final bill that included that amendment. Voted to loosen regulation on “less than lethal projectile devices.”
Health Care

Increase or decrease government support for health care?

Decrease. Opposes expansion of Affordable Care Act subsidies. “We need competition, transparency and choice, not more federal spending.” Calls for reforms “that make health care more affordable without expanding Washington’s control.”Mostly increase. Voted to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies. Voted to expand funding for prevention of Native American child abuse. Says Congress must work “to make prescription drugs more affordable.” As a state senator, voted to expand Medicaid. Introduced a bill allowing certain drugs to be on the market longer before Medicare could begin negotiating prices.
Immigration

How to handle immigration?

Supports “the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement.” “We have to secure our border.… Our country is being invaded.” “I know what’s coming in down there…. You’ve got folks from all over the Middle East who just hate America.”Supports more border security and a “fair and humane” immigration system. After shooting deaths in Minneapolis, called for “an end to this violence and disorder.” Voted to require DHS detention of any undocumented immigrant arrested for theft.
Iran

Support the war in Iran?

Yes. “A regime that funds proxy armies while racing toward a nuclear weapon cannot be allowed to operate without consequences.” Regarding foreign military action, “the president must be able to act quickly to protect Americans.”Mixed. “A regime that supports terror, destabilizes its neighbors, and aims to destroy other nations can’t be trusted.” Voted to require Congressional authorization for U.S. military action in Iran.
Labor

Make it easier or harder for unions to organize?

No position found.Easier. Sponsored a bill to give public employees the right to join together in a union, bargain collectively, and sue to enforce labor rights.
LGBTQ Rights

Limit or expand LGBTQ rights?

Limit. Calls gender change “a terrible, horrific thing.” Praised North Carolina General Assembly for letting parents know “when somebody wants to try to change a gender on your child.” Says DEI in the military has not “done anybody any good.”Limit. Voted to criminalize gender transition treatments for minors, including surgery and supplying hormones, subjecting providers to up to 10 years in prison.
Minimum Wage

Raise the federal minimum from $7.25 per hour?

No position found. Likely yes. As a state senator, sponsored a bill requiring the state to study raising the minimum wage to $15 for noncertified public school employees. Helped negotiate a $15 minimum wage for such employees in a subsequent state budget.
Taxes

Raise or lower taxes on corporations and wealthier individuals?

Lower. Says she supports Trump’s “America First agenda,” including cutting taxes. Wants to “reduce taxes across the board.”Raise. Voted against extending the 2017 Trump tax cuts, which included, among other tax breaks, a break for the very wealthy and the largest one-time cut in the corporate tax rate.
Voting Rules

Make voting harder or easier?

Harder. “Photo ID should be required for voting.” “My top concern is we are doing everything we can to ensure every legitimate vote is counted and we prevent fake votes.”Easier. Twice voted against requiring proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. “We must do everything in our power to protect the sacred right to vote.”

Success!

×
Download Images