N&O endorsements: Our choices for the Triangle’s US House races

The U.S. House is filled with representatives, but after this election what the members of North Carolina’s delegation will mostly represent is gerrymandering.

Currently, the congressional delegation in this purple state is appropriately split – seven Democrats and seven Republicans. But that group was elected based on fair maps ordered by the courts. New congressional district maps drawn by the Republican-controlled General Assembly for this election are expected to shift that balance to at least four Democrats and 10 Republicans.

To get that lopsided advantage, Republican lawmakers packed Democratic voters into three solidly Democratic districts and one swing district. One of the sure bets for Democrats is in Mecklenburg County. The other two are in the Triangle: the 2nd and 4th Districts.

Elections in the 2nd and 4th Districts are almost certain to result in the reelection of the respective Democratic incumbents, Deborah Ross and Valerie Foushee. Both have struggled to have impact in a House controlled by Republicans, whose divisions have resulted in one of the least productive Congresses in history.

2nd District

Ross, 61, of Raleigh, brings a wealth of political experience to her work in Congress.

She is a civil rights attorney who served as state director of the American Civil Liberties Union before winning election to the state House, where she served from 2003 to 2013.

In 2016, Ross ran unsuccessfully as the Democratic U.S. Senate nominee against Republican incumbent Richard Burr. She won her U.S. House seat in 2020. Under the new maps, the 2nd District covers much of central and northern Wake County.

Despite the likelihood of being reelected to a third term, Ross is campaigning hard for herself and other Democrats. “I really believe the title ‘representative’ is my responsibility,” she told the Editorial Board. “So it’s important for me to be out and about. It’s my responsibility to show up and connect with my constituents.”

Ross said she was productive in her first term with Democrats in control of the House and a Democrat in the White House. Now a chief deputy whip of her caucus, she hopes to get back to moving legislation if Democrats regain control.

But even in the minority, Ross said she can have an impact, especially since the divided Republicans often need Democratic votes to pass legislation.

“I’m pretty scrappy,” she said. “No matter what playing field I’m on, I’m going to move the ball forward for the people of North Carolina and the country.

Ross is being challenged by Republican Alan Swain in a rematch of their 2020 contest. Also running is Michael Dublin of the Green Party.

Swain, 70, of Raleigh, is a retired U.S. Army colonel. He is concerned about an economy in which he said people are running up credit card debt to pay for basics. He also wants tighter border controls and a reduction in the national debt.

Dublin, 57, of Garner, is a middle school teacher. He supports a minimum wage of $25, wants higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations and backs stronger measures to protect the environment.

We recommend reelecting Deborah Ross.

4th District

The redrawn 4th District takes in parts of Cary, Apex and Morrisville as well as part of Chatham County and all of Orange and Durham counties.

Foushee, 68, of Chapel Hill, is seeking a second term. An Orange County native, she is a former state senator, and a former Orange County commissioner and former member of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board.

Foushee is being challenged by Republican Eric Blankenburg, 65, of New Hill. Blankenburg, a technology consultant, said too many jobs have gone overseas. “We have to rebuild our economy on a strong foundation of manufacturing and technology,” he said.

Also running is Libertarian Guy Meilleur, 74, of Durham. Meilleur, a consultant arborist, said, “Waging peace is my top issue, helping countries defend themselves but not helping countries attack their neighbors.”

We recommend reelecting Valerie Foushee.