Aggressive, hard-hitting, take-no-prisoners gerrymandering has transformed the state’s First Congressional District – held by a Democrat since 1883 – into a likely GOP cakewalk for the 2026 elections. A whopping 23 counties – many snared from the Third Congressional District – should be fertile ground for Republicans in a possible multi-candidate GOP primary.
Among the first to announce is Asa Buck, current sheriff of Carteret County. In a press release this week, Buck said recent political events were a big part of his decision to run for Congress.
“From radical socialists being elected to run America’s major cities to the horrifying political assassination of Charlie Kirk, there is little doubt that America is at a political crossroads. The time has come for principled leaders to step up and offer themselves for service. The people of Eastern North Carolina must have a strong voice in Congress to make sure their values are protected and the America First Agenda is implemented. ”
Buck noted that the sudden change in the state’s Congressional maps – made by the GOP-controlled General Assembly, combined with his retirement from law enforcement, made the timing right for his candidacy.
“I’ve actually thought about this possibility for quite a while. In 2016, I was one of the featured speakers at a rally for then-candidate Trump, and after my endorsement speech, I was overwhelmed by comments from people saying I should consider a run for Congress. When the new Congressional maps came out, I received the same type of encouragement.”
Pitt County, the home of veteran Congressman Greg Murphy, is the new epicenter of the Third Congressional District, which forfeited some of its counties to the newly drawn First. Throughout the USA, each state’s congressional districts are supposed to be roughly equal in terms of population – the ‘one person/one vote’ goal for equal representation in voting.
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