Asa Buck (R), Laurie Buckhout (R), Robert Hanig (R), Eric Rouse (R), and Ashley-Nicole Russell (R) are running in the Republican primary for North Carolina's 1st Congressional District on March 3, 2026.

The election is taking place in the context of redistricting that changed the district's boundaries from those used in 2024. The Assembly's Christa Dutton said the new lines "[made] the 1st District, which now spans the northeast part of the state from the Virginia border to the coast, more conservative." The winner will face incumbent Donald Davis (D), who is unopposed in the Democratic primary, in the general election.

Buck is the sheriff of Carteret County. He was first elected in 2006. Buck's campaign website said he had spoken to voters across the district and "has found that his litmus test of Conservatism works well in almost every question of what the Federal Government should do, or NOT do, for the people."

Buckhout is a U.S. Army veteran, the founder of a consulting firm, and a former assistant national cyber director for policy in the second Trump administration. Buckhout was the Republican nominee in 2024, losing to Davis 50%–48% under the old district lines. Buckhout is running on her professional experience. Her campaign website says she has "extensive experience working with Federal and Congressional organizations on legal, budgetary and legislative matters."

Hanig is a U.S. Army veteran and the owner and operator of a pool service company. Hanig was first elected to the North Carolina Senate in 2022 and also served in the North Carolina House of Representatives and on the Currituck County Commission. Hanig says he is running "to help make the system work for everyone...I'm America First and Constituent First with a record to prove it. I've been counted out, but I've never been outworked."

Rouse owns and operates six businesses, including a construction firm and a drilling service. Rouse was first elected to the Lenoir County Commission in 2010. Rouse says he is running "to fight for you -- the hardworking folks across North Carolina who get up early, bust their tails, and just want to be left alone to raise their families."

Russell is an attorney operating a family law practice. Russell's campaign website says she will "go to Washington as an outsider, not another career politician. She will fight alongside President Trump to drain the swamp, push for term limits, balance the budget, defend our constitutional rights, and rebuild an economy that finally puts American families first."

If no candidate wins more than 30% of the vote, the second-place candidate may request that the top two finishers advance to a May 12 runoff.

As of February 2026, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and Sabato's Crystal Ball rated the general election Lean Republican and Inside Elections rated it Tilt Republican.