The battleground congressional district in eastern North Carolina, specifically in Rocky Mount, is gearing up for a crucial election next month. Despite being over a thousand miles away from the U.S.-Mexico border, immigration has taken center stage in this race between Democratic Rep. Don Davis and Republican challenger Laurie Buckhout.
Republicans have made immigration their top policy priority in this campaign, with Buckhout consistently addressing the issue in interviews and campaign ads. On the other hand, Davis has been on the defensive, countering Republican attacks by emphasizing his visits to the border and his votes in favor of increased border security.
The Democratic pivot on immigration is evident, with the party taking a more affirmative stance on the issue rather than just reacting to Republican messaging. The outcome of this race could serve as a litmus test for Vice President Kamala Harris’ efforts to neutralize immigration messaging across the country.
Despite the district’s demographics, which are predominantly white and Black with a small Latino population, the border issue has dominated the election discourse. Both candidates have tied their campaigns to the border, reflecting the broader trend in competitive races this cycle.
Buckhout, the Republican challenger, has highlighted the impact of immigration on the economy and the proliferation of drugs like fentanyl as key concerns for voters in the district. Democrats, including former President Bill Clinton, have also addressed deportations of undocumented migrants and the need for comprehensive immigration reform.
The district, which narrowly favored Joe Biden in the previous election, is now a swing seat that both parties are vying to win. While internal Democratic polling shows Davis with a lead, Republicans are confident they can close the gap by focusing on immigration and embracing Trump’s rhetoric on the issue.
Davis has aligned himself with a tough-on-border message, similar to Rep. Tom Suozzi’s successful campaign strategy in a recent special election. He emphasizes his border visits and bipartisan approach to border-related issues, appealing to a broad spectrum of voters.
Local Democrats acknowledge the influence of Trump’s immigration rhetoric on the race, with some noting that the issues being debated are a reflection of Trump’s agenda. Despite the lack of daily encounters with illegal immigrants in the district, the border issue has taken precedence in the campaign.
In addition to immigration, Buckhout has addressed her stance on abortion, seeking to clarify her position and distance herself from more conservative views on the issue. Republicans are optimistic about their chances of flipping Davis’ seat in the final days of the race, projecting confidence in their ability to close the gap and emerge victorious in this closely watched contest. Mick Rankin, the chair of the Wilson County Republican Party, expressed confidence in the upcoming race but acknowledged that it would be a tough battle against incumbent Democrat Davis, who is well-liked in the community. Despite his criticism of Davis for not bringing in enough money to the 1st District, Rankin recognized that it was only Davis’ first term in office.
The GOP gubernatorial candidate, Mark Robinson, has faced personal controversies that are causing concern for other Republican candidates, including Laurie Buckhout, who is running for office in Wilson County. Democrats have been running ads linking Buckhout and Robinson, but Buckhout emphasized that she is focused on her own race and policies rather than personality.
Despite Robinson’s challenges, many Republicans in Wilson County remain enthusiastic about the upcoming election in November. Some, like retiree Bentley Massey, have doubts about Robinson’s chances but are fully supportive of Buckhout.
Both Buckhout and Davis are sticking to their party’s immigration platforms. Buckhout emphasized the need to close the border and supported conservative border legislation passed by House Republicans. She also praised Trump’s “Remain in Mexico” policy. Davis highlighted existing legislation, like a bipartisan border deal that was rejected by the Senate, as potential solutions to the immigration issue.
Overall, the race in Wilson County is heating up as both candidates strive to gain the support of voters. With differing views on key issues like immigration, the competition promises to be intense leading up to the election.
