Brad Knott (R) won the Republican primary runoff in North Carolina’s 13th Congressional District on May 14, 2024. Kelly Daughtry (R) also appeared on the ballot but suspended her campaign on May 2, 2024. Knott defeated Daughtry 90.8% to 9.2%.

Daughtry and Knott were the top two finishers in the March 5 primary with 27.4% and 18.7% of the vote, respectively. Incumbent Wiley Nickel (D) did not seek re-election, leaving the district open. According to Meredith College professor David McLennan, the runoff was “a test of who can align him or herself more with Trump…between two candidates – Kelly Daughtry and Brad Knott – who run more strongly in different parts of the district.” Former President Donald Trump (R) endorsed Knott on April 5, 2024.

Knott was a former federal prosecutor. Knott said he was running because “I saw firsthand the devastating harm serious crime does to our communities…The laws need to be stronger and more rigid to protect law-abiding Americans.” Knott said that he and Trump kept America safe together before Joe Biden (D) took office. Knott said he would “work with President Trump to secure our border and to put criminals behind bars.” As of May 15, 2024, Knott had raised $1,736,115, including $680,000 in self-funding.

Daughtry was, at the time of the election, an attorney with experience in business disputes and family law. Daughtry said she was running “to restore sanity in Washington; defend conservative, Christian, North Carolina values; secure our border and end Biden’s disastrous leadership of our country.” Daughtry said that “voters are seeking a candidate who will prioritize America first…I will work with Trump when I get to Congress to secure the border, reduce inflation, and refocus our foreign policy.” As of May 15, 2024, Daughtry had raised $4,466,728, including $4,300,000 in self-funding.

The primary runoff took place in the context of court-ordered redistricting. Under the previous district lines, national political observers described the 13th District as a toss-up. Wiley Nickel (D) defeated Bo Hines (R) 51.6%–48.4% in 2022. As of May 13, 2024, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and Larry J. Sabato’s Crystal Ball both rated the general election Solid/Safe Republican, and Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rated the general election Likely Republican.