Incumbent Donald Davis (D), Laurie Buckhout (R), and Tom Bailey (L) are running in the general election for North Carolina's 1st Congressional District on November 3, 2026.

The election is taking place in the context of redistricting, which changed the district's boundaries from those used in 2024. Inside Elections' Nathaniel Rakich said, "[T]he 1st District has gone from an evenly divided Baseline (technically, it was ever so slightly Democratic-leaning at D+0.3) to R+8. Some Democratic candidates over the past decade, including current Gov. Josh Stein in 2024 and former Auditor Beth Wood in 2020, would have still won it under the new boundaries, but they are the exception rather than the rule: Republicans would have carried it in 50 of the last 56 statewide elections." President Donald Trump (R) defeated Kamala Harris (D) 55.4%–43.8% in the 2024 presidential election in the 2026 version of the 1st District. As of August 2026, major election forecasters rated the general election Toss-up or Lean Republican.

Davis was first elected to the House in 2022 after 12 years in the North Carolina Senate. He is a U.S. Navy veteran and former professor. Davis' campaign website says, "Don is running for Congress to continue the fight for eastern North Carolina in Washington, D.C. ensuring we are not forgotten. Families across eastern North Carolina are feeling the pain of increased gas prices, higher grocery bills, and rising healthcare costs. Don Davis is working to make life more affordable, expand opportunity, and deliver real results for our coastal and rural communities."

Buckhout is a U.S. Navy veteran and the owner of a defense consulting firm. She lost 49.5%–47.8% to Davis under the old district lines in 2024. Buckhout's campaign website says, "She’s focused on implementing the America First Agenda; lowering costs for families, securing the border, strengthening national defense, and restoring accountability in government—putting the people of eastern North Carolina first. Eastern North Carolina needs a fighter, not another career politician, and she will be ready to deliver on day one."

As of June 30, 2026, Davis had raised $4.29 million and Buckhout had raised $3.79 million.

The outcome of this race will affect the partisan balance of the U.S. House of Representatives in the 120th Congress. All 435 U.S. House districts are up for election.

Currently, Republicans have a 219-212 majority with four vacancies in the chamber.