© 2024 Allbritton Journalism Institute

The House Race Republicans Want to Make About China

Rep. Don Davis’ rural North Carolina district is one of the most competitive races of the year — and the two parties are fighting over what voters actually care about.

Rep. Don Davis, D-N.C.,  arrives to the U.S. Capitol
Rep. Don Davis is in one of the most competitive House races of this cycle. Tom Williams/AP

North Carolina Republicans looking to unseat Democratic incumbent Rep. Don Davis are trying to make the House race about China.

In the past week, Republicans have placed two ads highlighting Davis’ voting record on policy involving China. With a large military footprint in the district, Republicans say concern about China as a national security threat is growing among voters in eastern North Carolina.

Davis, meanwhile, not only rejects all his opponent’s attacks, but also their premise: Voters in his district aren’t casting a ballot on China policy, he told NOTUS.