Nida Allam concedes NC Democratic congressional primary to Valerie Foushee
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- Nida Allam concedes narrow Democratic primary loss to Valerie Foushee.
- Allam criticized PAC and AI-aligned outside spending in the race.
- Margin under 1%—Allam chose to let the result stand rather than pursue a recount.
Nida Allam, an anti-establishment activist who challenged U.S. Rep. Valerie Foushee for her seat in Congress, conceded the race on Wednesday after a narrow loss in the Democratic primary.
“Though these were not the results we hoped for, I am proud of the movement we have built, the voices we have lifted up and the journey we have ahead,” Allam said in a written statement.
Responding to the news in her own statement, Foushee said she was “deeply humbled that the Democratic voters of the 4th district have nominated me to serve a third term. I look forward to continuing the fight to deliver the progressive change that our district seeks from Congress as Democrats retake the majority.”
In her announcement, Allam noted that Foushee benefited from millions in outside spending from a variety of PACs, including one aligned with an artificial intelligence company.
“The AI lobby just bought their first seat in Congress. But despite their millions in last-minute spending, corporate lobbies were only barely able to eke out a win — because of the movement this campaign built,” she said.
According to unofficial results, Foushee led Allam by about 1,200 votes — a less than 1% margin of victory.
If that margin held as outstanding provisional and mail ballots were counted, Allam could have requested a recount.
Instead, she appears to have decided to let the result stand.
Allam’s concession marks the end to a contentious campaign, marked by millions in outside ad spending and frequent sparring between the two candidates.
While Foushee is a self-identified progressive, Allam ran to her left, arguing that mainstream Democrats in Congress had failed to mount a meaningful resistance to President Donald Trump.
In her statement Wednesday evening, Foushee reiterated her support for progressive policy.
“My priorities are to stop Trump’s attacks on our democracy, regulate AI, overturn Citizens United, establish a Green New Deal, ensure Medicare for All, pass legislation to block arms sales to Israel, and lower the cost of groceries, housing, and education,” she said. “Nothing will ever change that.”
This year’s race was a rematch for the two women, who first faced off in 2022 in what became the most expensive Democratic congressional primary in the state’s history.
During that race, Foushee’s support for Israel and her acceptance of funding from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee became a major point of contention.
Since then, the war between Israel and Hamas broke out, Foushee became increasingly critical of Israel’s attacks on Gaza, and this year she pledged not to accept AIPAC funding.
“In the days ahead, the incumbent has a responsibility to half this district to earn their support,” Allam said. “It should not take being challenged in a primary to take bold stances that voters overwhelmingly support, but I am proud that our movement pushed our incumbent to better reflect our deeply held values and convictions. It’s up to us as an entire district to demand that our representative deliver on her promises.”
This story was originally published March 4, 2026 at 6:47 PM.
