Republican North Carolina state Sen. Bobby Hanig on Wednesday announced a campaign to oust Rep. Don Davis (D-NC) from office in the 2026 midterm elections.
Davis’s seat in the 1st Congressional District is considered the most competitive House seat in the state, with the incumbent Democrat winning reelection last November by less than 2%.
Republicans have sought to capitalize on Democrats’ vulnerabilities in the district, with Hanig‘s campaign announcement this week coming after Rocky Mount Mayor Sandy Roberson launched a GOP bid for the seat in April, nearly a year before North Carolina holds the 2026 primary.
Hanig tied his campaign to President Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda, touting his work on immigration reform, support for tax cuts, voter ID requirements, and Second Amendment rights, and stating his opposition to “Green New Deal” policies and the teaching of Marxist critical race theory in schools, among other priorities.
“I’ve fought for families, cut taxes, defended life, strengthened border security, and stood firm for the America First Agenda,” the state senator said in a post to X. “Now I’m ready to take that fight to Washington.”
While the seat has been held by a Democrat for over a century, it has become more competitive in recent years after the state legislature redrew the district to include more Republican-leaning counties.
Davis only narrowly won reelection last November after surviving an intense challenge from Republican Laurie Buckhout, who initially refused to concede the race and called for a recount. The race drew national attention, making it among the most expensive campaigns in the country.
Davis will likely face another challenging election cycle in 2026, as Republicans, including Hanig, who entered the state House in 2018 before moving to the Senate in 2022, and Roberson, seek to flip the northeastern North Carolina district red.
MICHAEL WHATLEY ENTERS NORTH CAROLINA SENATE RACE, SETTING UP 2026 CLASH WITH COOPER
Hanig holds several leadership positions in the state legislature, including overseeing the Appropriations on General Government and Information Technology and State and Local Government committees.
“This is my home. These are my people. I’m blessed to do what I do. Serving in the General Assembly has been an absolute honor, privilege, and just opportunity in a lifetime,” he said Wednesday morning during an interview with radio host Henry Hinton. “I’m ready to move on to the next level and really give northeast North Carolina what they deserve, which is good leadership to protect our values, our heritage, and our way of life.”