N&O endorsement: Our choice in the 13th Congressional District’s Democratic primary.

U.S. House District 13, Democratic Primary

In the distorted art of gerrymandering, North Carolina’s 13th Congressional District is a masterpiece.

It stretches from the Virginia border to Sanford, encompassing parts of eight counties north and south of Raleigh while skirting the state’s blue capital.

True to its design by GOP state lawmakers, the district is rated “solid Republican” by the Cook Political Report.

Still, three Democrats are seeking the opportunity to take on the winner of a Republican primary in which first-term Rep. Brad Knott is the overwhelming favorite.

Frank Pierce, 40, the owner of a Raleigh landscaping business, is looking for a rematch with Knott. He was the Democratic nominee against Knott in 2024 but by 58% to 41%

Pierce is a moderate Democrat who supports abortion rights, public education and reforming immigration laws. But mostly he campaigns by listening to all sides. “If I don’t have time to talk to you, I shouldn’t be running,” he said. “I’ve knocked on 2,800 doors. I’m saying, ‘I’m here for you.’ That’s how you get people to vote.”

Alexander Nicholi is a 27-year-old Raleigh software developer making his first run for office. He’s concerned about the influence of technology industry billionaires on federal policy and spending on artificial intelligence.

“I’m hearing people of all political stripes are resonating with this angle of attack that I have,” he said. “Even people on the right are not happy with how the Trump administration has been making deals with Elon [Musk] and others.”

If Democrats were to describe the ideal candidate to take on a freshman Republican incumbent in a red district, it would be Paul Barringer.

Barringer, 58, of Lee County, is a healthcare consultant and a lawyer. But he also grew up on a Lee County farm, manages his family’s tree farm business, was an Eagle Scout and teaches Sunday school.

A first-time candidate, Barringer said he’s motivated by the behavior of President Donald Trump and excesses of his administration. “I’m running because I couldn’t take the news one more day,” he said.

“I looked at the district and looked at myself in the mirror and thought I could make a difference. It’s set up for a Republican to win, but I think it can be competitive in November.”

Worries about the cost of living, particularly regarding health care and the effects of tariffs is what Barringer hears most as he campaigns. He said voters’ “concern and dismay” could give a Democrat a chance in a red district in North Carolina just as it has in other states.

But Barringer’s main goal would be to get Congress back to being Congress.

“My number one thing is reasserting Congress’ role as an independent branch of government. We need people in Congress who think independently and use oversight,” he said. “In ceding authority to the president, Congress has acted inappropriately.”

Pierce is running an admirable grassroots campaign. Nicholi is pointing toward a serious problem with what he calls the “Tech Mafia.” But Barringer combines progressive views with rural roots that may appeal to many in this district.

We recommend Paul Barringer.

U.S. House District 13, Republican Primary

Backed by President Donald Trump’s endorsement, Brad Knott easily won his first bid for Congress in 2024 in the heavily gerrymandered 13th Congressional district.

Despite his easy win, Knott has drawn a primary challenger, Sid Sharma, a 29-year-old Raleigh accountant. Sharma ran for the same seat in a 14-way Republican primary in 2024. He received less than 1% of the vote.

Sharma contends that Knott has brought little back to the district, that he supports too much spending on foreign aid to Middle Eastern countries and that his voting record is too liberal.

Knott’s campaign did not respond to a request for an interview. He is the incumbent, has President’s Trump’s endorsement and his conservative views resonate in this district. He’s the clear choice for Republican voters.