Will U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis’ retirement from the U.S. Senate shake-up the state’s most competitive House race?
U.S. Rep. Don Davis, a Snow Hill Democrat, will explore the viability of seeking the open Senate seat, a spokesperson told POLITICO. That could rapidly shift North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District into an open seat.
Davis was already being targeted by the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC). He narrowly secured re-election in 2026, winning his bid by 2 percentage points over Republican Laurie Buckhout. Meanwhile, about 51% of voters in the district supported Republican Donald Trump for President over Democrat Kamala Harris.
But that was in a political environment where Trump won statewide and rallied Republican voters throughout the Tar Heel State. Democrats hope to win a House majority this cycle amid progressive anger about Trump’s return to the White House.
The NRCC gloated about Davis’ potential exit from the race.
“Don Davis showed up to Congress, made a mess of things for North Carolinians, and now is trying to run for the hills because he knows voters are ready to hold him accountable,” said NRCC Spokesperson Maureen O’Toole. “Davis is a coward, and whether he runs for House or Senate, his days in Congress are numbered.”
There certainly is not a clear path to the Senate. Former U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel announced in April he would run, even with Tillis still in the running. Since news of Tillis broke, rumblings emerged about Attorney General Jeff Jackson, Senate Democratic Leader Sydney Batch and even Gov. Roy Cooper considering bids.
But if Davis enters, that would open the chance for Democrats in CD 1 to run for the seat, as national Democrats still vow to defend the territory. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee lists the district as one its frontline races.
All of this assumes Davis leaves the congressional race to run for Senate. Some Democratic sources speculated Davis could still stay in the race, but that the potential for a statewide run could mean a fundraising boon for the Democrat.
