Safe Republican Congressional Races
Republicans lost a safe seat through the court-ordered redistricting process earlier this year, for a total of seven seats likely to break their way.
District 3: Beaufort, Camden, Carteret, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Duplin, Hyde, Jones, Lenoir, Pamlico, Pitt (part), Onslow, Sampson, Wayne (part)
Incumbent Republican Congressman Dr. Gregory Murphy, of Pitt County, has represented the 3rd Congressional District since first winning a special election in 2019. This large eastern North Carolina district stretches down the coast from the Outer Banks to Jacksonville. Dr. Murphy faces Democrat Barbara Gaskins, the founder of a re-entry nonprofit. The 3rd District is rated as “safe Republican.”
District 5: Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Caldwell (part), Davie, Forsyth (part), Mitchell, Stokes, Surry, Watagua, Wilkes
On the opposite side of the state in the mountains is the 5th Congressional District, which stretches from Winston-Salem to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Incumbent Republican Congressmember Virginia Foxx, of Avery County, has represented the district since 2005. She is the Ranking Member of the House Education and Labor Committee and was formerly the chair of the committee. She faces Democrat Kyle Parrish. The 5th Congressional District is rated “safe Republican.”
District 7: Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Cumberland (part), New Hanover, Pender, Robeson
Incumbent Republican Congressman David Rouzer, of New Hanover County, is seeking a fifth term. Rouzer previously served as a Republican member in the state Senate from Johnston County. He faces current state House Representative Charles Graham (D-Robeson), who is the only American Indian serving in the General Assembly. The 7th District is rated “likely Republican.”
District 8: Anson, Cabarrus (part), Davidson, Montgomery, Richmond (part), Rowan, Stanly, Union
The 8th District was altered significantly through redistricting, leading incumbent Republican Congressmember Richard Hudson to move from Cabarrus County to Moore County to run in the newly drawn district. Hudson prides himself on being “Fort Bragg’s Representative;” the district stretches from Fayetteville to Asheboro. He faces current Democratic state Senator Ben Clark, who represents Hoke County and a portion of Cumberland County. The 8th District is rated “safe Republican.”
District 9: Chatham, Cumberland (part), Moore, Harnett (part), Hoke, Lee, Randolph, Richmond (part)
Incumbent Republican Congressman Dan Bishop is seeking reelection to a second full term. He first assumed office after winning a special election in 2019. Bishop previously served in the state Senate, having first been elected in 2016. He faces Democrat Scott Huffman, an IT business owner. The 9th District is rated “likely Republican.”
District 10: Alexander, Burke, Caldwell (part), Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston (part), Iredell, Lincoln, Rutherford (part)
Incumbent Republican Congressman Patrick McHenry, of Gaston County, has represented the 10th Congressional District since 2005. He is the Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee and previously served as House Republican Chief Deputy Whip. He faces Democrat Pamela Genant, a retired Army officer and registered nurse. The district is rated “safe Republican.”
District 11: Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Madison, Macon, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford (part), Swain, Yancey
The 11th Congressional District includes all of the most western parts of the state, including the city of Asheville. It received national attention earlier this year when incumbent Republican Congressman Madison Cawthorn, who was known for stoking controversy, was defeated in the Republican primary by current state Senator Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson). The Democratic nominee is Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, a Buncombe County Commissioner and minister. Following Cawthorn’s ousting, the district has been rated “safe Republican.”