(The Center Square) – Democratic U.S. Rep. Don Davis, seeking a third term in northeastern North Carolina, two years ago had stepped out of party lines on immigration issues and consistently polled top three with voters.
Seeking to defeat Republican challenger Laurie Buckhout for a second straight election this November, his votes against border security funding have increased to $305 billion and put a repeat winning performance in jeopardy.
Less than two weeks to Election Day 2024, he pledged support for “comprehensive immigration reform” and tougher border policy. Last summer, however, he was against a bill including funding of border security and immigration.
Last week, he wasn't for the $70 billion Secure America Act that provided funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.
It added to his previous record in 2023 against the Secure the Border Act; and also, in 2023 against an appropriations bill with $3.5 billion for custody operations, $2 billion for building the wall, and $496 million for 22,000 border patrol agents.
Added to that was a day in 2019 at the North Carolina Senate when he took an excused absence for all votes June 24, including sheriffs’ cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In sum, he's got a mixed record when it comes to words and actions on immigration whereas Buckhout, the retired Army colonel, is without a voting record but consistent in approach.
The Center Square last week asked Davis how a voter reconciles the votes against border security funding with his spoken words saying he wants to hire border patrol agents, “comprehensive immigration reform,” and a nearly $10,000 trip to Eagle Pass, Texas, paid by taxpayers?
His Washington office acknowledged receipt of the question; as of Tuesday morning, the retired 1st lieutenant from the Air Force was giving no answer.
Davis in May 2024 was ranked among the top five “most bipartisan” members of Congress and was No. 1 for North Carolina representatives. In another analysis from three months ago, for leaders willing to stand against bad public policy, Davis scored only 20 of 100 points led by a position of support for an amendment to require the United States to balance its budget and a vote against the resolution.
Immigration shakes out as a second level top issue for North Carolinians, according to recent polling.
Inflation and the cost of living (46.1%) is on level alone in last month’s sampling from Carolina Journal and Harper Polling. The next level was only modestly different for economy and jobs (18.1%), Social Security and Medicare (17.1%); taxes and spending (16.5%); healthcare (16.3%); immigration (15%); education (14.8%); national security (12.4%); crime and public safety (11.9%); and gas prices (10.8%).
In an eight-point plan of priorities in his campaign, immigration and the border are nowhere to be found for Davis. For Buckhout, it’s listed second only behind the economy.
There's more context on immigration. While Davis’ record is not one-sided for reform and security, he has joined Republican initiatives too hard to contest especially given the target on his seat since he last won it.
Davis was in favor of the Laken Riley Act and is on record critical of the Biden administration immigration policies, specifically the “catch and release” practice. He voted for DHS Appropriations Act 2025, known also as House Resolution 8752, in June 2024 that increased border security technology, fentanyl detection and overtime pay for Border Patrol agents.
Davis also has requested accountability for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Buckhout, on the other hand, is committed to one of the top priorities of Donald Trump as a candidate when he won the state for a third consecutive election. She's been a part of his administration, though winning elected public office would be a first.
“Border security is national security,” her campaign website says. “Laurie will focus on ensuring our border patrol agents have the resources they need to keep dangerous drugs out of our country. Eastern North Carolina is safer when our border is secure. Laurie will fight to keep it that way.”
As newly constructed in the Realign Congressional Districts 2025, known also as Senate Bill 249, six counties were moved from the 3rd Congressional District to the 1st Congressional District. Four counties went from the 1st to the 3rd. In the reconstruction, Republicans said their hope was to gain another seat – they have 10 to Democrats’ four in the 119th Congress – in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Twelve districts had no change. Litigation against the October implementation for this midterm cycle was defeated.
Differentiations due to court orders have been applied to each map used for four of the last five congressional elections – 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2022. The Legislature drew it in 2024, and now a different one for 2026.
Libertarian Tom Bailey is also on the Nov. 3 ballot.
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