Democrat Don Davis wins Eastern North Carolina congressional seat
State Sen. Don Davis will represent Eastern North Carolina in Congress after defeating Sandy Smith on Tuesday and keeping the seat in Democratic hands.
The Associated Press called the race just before 12:30 a.m. Earlier, Davis declared victory, celebrating with supporters at the Greene County Community Center in Snow Hill and on a virtual Zoom call with family members.
“I feel really good,” Davis told The News & Observer Tuesday night. “We had friends, family and supporters come from across the east to join us and you could just feel the energy in the room, which we could feel the same energy across the district at the polling locations.”
He added that he is thankful to all his supporters and constituents.
“Now it’s time to get to work,” Davis said.
Davis, 51, a Greene County resident, is a six-term state senator who grew up in Eastern North Carolina. He served in the U.S. Air Force and was mayor of Snow Hill at 29 years old. He also served as a minister and educator.
“I’m laser focused on making sure that our kids get all they need in terms of resources to succeed in school, access to health care remains a top priority for us in the east and making a pathway for good paying American jobs right here in Eastern North Carolina,” Davis said.
He added that Eastern North Carolina is often overlooked and forgotten and he wants to be a strong voice to bring back resources to the area.
Rep. G.K. Butterfield, a Democrat, currently holds the seat — and has since 2004 — but plans to retire at the end of his term this year.
Butterfield endorsed Davis’ candidacy.
The 1st Congressional District was considered likely to lean Democrat by the Cook Political Report, which also predicted that the race was one of the tightest in the country. Smith, 48, a Rocky Mount Republican, left many wondering if she could flip the seat red.
A Republican hasn’t held the seat, labeled as the state’s 1st Congressional District, since 1883.
Smith winning the seat would have been a big win for Republicans, not only due to the area’s history, but because it would help the party move toward holding the majority in the House. The 117th House is made up of 220 Democrats and 212 Republicans, with three vacancies.
Smith, a controversial figure accused of domestic violence, was outside the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, denies losing her 2020 election to Butterfield and is endorsed by former President Donald Trump.
Originally, during the primary, Republicans openly campaigned against Smith, including the National Republican Congressional Committee, but came around to her in the general, even labeling her with Young Gun status, a distinction candidates hope to earn that helps with fundraising efforts.
Democrats congratulated Davis on his win.
“We know that he will carry on the legacy of his predecessor, Congressman Butterfield, with pride and we are excited for him to craft his own legacy of strength and diligence for the betterment of North Carolina,” said Democratic Party Chairman Bobbie Richardson.
North Carolina’s 117th House delegation is made up of 8 Republicans and 5 Democrats. The election has an added 14th District, supported by increased population calculated by census data.
This story was originally published November 8, 2022 at 8:05 PM.
CORRECTION: Don Davis served as mayor of Snow Hill. A previous version of this article misstated the town’s name.
