---
title: "Two North Carolina House Races Could Tip Congress"
url: https://www.hereobx.com/2026/11/02/nc-1st-11th-district-house-races-control-congress/
date: 2026-11-02T11:16:38-05:00
modified: 2026-11-02T11:16:38-05:00
author: "HERE City State Desk"
categories: ["Politics"]
site: "HERE Outer Banks"
attribution: "HERE Outer Banks"
---

# Two North Carolina House Races Could Tip Congress

> GREENVILLE, N.C. — Two North Carolina congressional districts, one along the coastal plain and one in the mountains, sit near the top of the national list of House seats that could change hands when voters go to the polls Tuesday. Republicans hold a slim 220-215 House majority heading into the midterms, so every competitive seat

*Source: [HERE Outer Banks](https://www.hereobx.com/2026/11/02/nc-1st-11th-district-house-races-control-congress/) — November 2, 2026 by HERE City State Desk*

GREENVILLE, N.C. — Two North Carolina congressional districts, one along the coastal plain and one in the mountains, sit near the top of the national list of House seats that could change hands when voters go to the polls Tuesday.

Republicans hold a slim 220-215 House majority heading into the midterms, so every competitive seat matters. Both North Carolina contests have been treated as toss-ups by election analysts for much of the fall.

Analysts at the University of Virginia Center for Politics shifted both races from toss-up to leaning Democratic in an Oct. 20 ratings update, citing a national political climate that has shifted as Democrats push to retake the chamber. Other forecasters still list both as toss-ups.

In the 1st District, which takes in much of eastern North Carolina, Democratic Rep. Don Davis faces Republican Laurie Buckhout in a rematch. Davis edged Buckhout two years ago even as President Donald Trump won the district by about 11.5 percentage points. Third-quarter federal filings show Davis brought in $1.3 million and held $2 million in cash, while Buckhout raised $933,240 and had $1.9 million in the bank.

The 11th District in western North Carolina is open. Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards abandoned his campaign for another term following an investigation into sexual harassment, and Republican Jennifer Balkcom took his place on the ballot. She faces Democrat Jamie Ager.

The two House races share Tuesday’s ballot with the open U.S. Senate seat and three proposed amendments to the state constitution. Voting runs from 6:30 in the morning until 7:30 at night, and anyone who has not yet voted must go to the precinct assigned by home address. Early turnout already passed 2.8 million ballots.