NC House Speaker Tim Moore won’t run for Congress, seeking another term as speaker

N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore will not run for Congress in 2022 — the first major fallout from U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn’s decision to switch congressional districts.

It had long been suspected that Moore, a Cleveland County Republican, would run for the U.S. House next year, and the new congressional map passed by state lawmakers earlier this month included a district seemingly drawn for the speaker.

The 13th Congressional District included Cleveland County and was home to no incumbent members. But Cawthorn, a first-term congressman, announced Thursday night that he would run in that district, instead of the far-western district that included much of his current district.

Moore, who has been speaker since 2015, confirmed his decision Thursday night, hours after The News & Observer first reported it.

“While much of the speculation about my potential congressional candidacy has been driven by the media and political pundits, I have been humbled by the folks in our region who expressed their wishes for me to represent them in Washington. While I have given it consideration, right now I am focused on the issues at hand that impact all North Carolinians,” Moore said in a statement.

“I will continue to fight for my constituents, and I will work for what the state needs now — a balanced budget that cuts taxes and invests in our critical needs during these challenging times. I look forward to serving with my colleagues as Speaker of the House of Representatives and securing a supermajority for the Republicans next year,” he said.

Some key House Republicans lined up behind their leader to keep his position, despite anticipation brewing for weeks that there could be a vacancy for speaker.

Rep. Jason Saine, a Lincolnton Republican and chair of the powerful Appropriations Committee, said Moore asked Saine to support him for speaker again after the 2022 election.

Saine, Rules Committee chairman Destin Hall and House Majority Leader John Bell were among those interested in running for speaker if Moore didn’t run again, Saine confirmed.

“We are interested but also support Tim — it’s not the drama one would believe,” he said. “I’m supporting Tim.”

The congressional maps were approved by state lawmakers last week. The filing period for candidates to officially declare their intentions is in December.

Cawthorn speaks against establishment

In Cawthorn’s announcement, he did not mention Moore by name, but he said he was worried about an “establishment” Republican prevailing in the 13th district if he did not run.

“Knowing the political realities of the 13th district, I am afraid that another establishment, go-along to get-along Republican would prevail there. I will not let that happen,” Cawthorn said in a video announcement.

Members of Congress do not have to live in their districts, so Moore could run elsewhere if he wanted.

Saine and Moore were at a fundraiser in the Outer Banks with other lawmakers on Thursday night when the news broke, first of Cawthorn’s change and then of Moore’s decision not to run for Congress.

“I told him that he’s my speaker and has done a good job. I haven’t heard any announcement to the contrary and he continues to have my support as speaker,” Saine said.

Hall, a Catawba County Republican, told The N&O in a text message: “The Speaker is being encouraged to look at Congress, but a 5th term as Speaker has always been the most likely route. I expect him to stay in the State house. He will have the clear support of the House Republican caucus.”

Saine said Moore hasn’t said whether his next term would be his last.

The campaign news came few days ahead of what might be the final resolution of the state budget this year.

Already more than four months delayed, Moore, Senate leader Phil Berger and other Republicans have been negotiating a budget with Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

The Republican-led General Assembly is expected to reveal its conference budget and hold votes next week before sending the plan to the governor’s desk.

For more North Carolina government and politics news, listen to the Under the Dome politics podcast from The News & Observer and the NC Insider. You can find it at link.chtbl.com/underthedomenc or wherever you get your podcasts.

This story was originally published November 11, 2021 at 8:09 PM.

Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan

The News & Observer

919-829-4877

Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan is the Capitol Bureau Chief for The News & Observer, leading coverage of the legislative and executive branches in North Carolina with a focus on the governor, General Assembly leadership and state budget. She has received the McClatchy President’s Award, N.C. Open Government Coalition Sunshine Award and several North Carolina Press Association awards, including for politics and investigative reporting.

Danielle Battaglia

McClatchy DC

Danielle Battaglia is the D.C. correspondent for The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer, leading coverage of North Carolina’s congressional delegation and elections. She also covers the White House. Her career has spanned three North Carolina newsrooms where she has covered crime, courts and local, state and national politics. She has won two McClatchy President’s awards and numerous national and state awards for her work.