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

The election took 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." Buckhout will face incumbent Donald Davis (D), who was unopposed in the Democratic primary, in the general election.

As of March 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.