Vulnerable House Dem 'fighting' to retain his seat rejects GOP challenger's claim he's 'beholden' to Biden

A North Carolina Democrat seeking re-election successful nan House says he is "fighting each day" for nan families successful his territory arsenic he fends disconnected accusations made by his Republican challenger that he's "beholden" to President Biden and dismissive of constituent concerns.

Rep. Don Davis, D-N.C., said he and his squad person "been moving truthful difficult to present for families crossed eastbound North Carolina" successful an question and reply pinch Fox News Digital.

"In nan past fewer weeks alone, we've announced complete $13 cardinal successful organization task funds, 15 different projects successful 8 counties."

Republican Laurie Buckhout, who is successful nan title to correspond North Carolina's 1st Congressional District, said Davis is simply a "career politician" who has "never had a time successful his life wherever he's tally a business." 

FORMER ARMY COLONEL SEEKING TO FLIP NORTH CAROLINA HOUSE SEAT SAYS DEM OPPONENT IS 'BEHOLDEN' TO BIDEN

Rep. Don Davis, D-N.C., nan Democratic nominee, will look disconnected against Republican Laurie Buckhout successful nan title to correspond North Carolina's 1st Congressional District. (Getty Images, Laurie Buckhout campaign)

But Davis, an Air Force veteran, said he is "working each azygous time to make judge that nan group of eastbound North Carolina, that their voices are heard successful Washington, D.C., that we're making connections and telling nan story."

He besides rejected his Republican challenger's declare he is "beholden" to President Biden and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.

"Let maine beryllium clear. I want to convey Col. Buckhout for her work to our country. But I deliberation she couldn't beryllium much disconnected connected that full remark because this is not astir being beholden," he said. "I've heard astir flipping nan seat. But, for me, it's astir fighting each time for families of eastbound North Carolina."

Davis said he is "only beholden to nan families of eastbound North Carolina," and pointed to his "fight" for farmers and subject families successful his district.

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"I'm fighting to make judge that our children, our young people, person a future," he said. "I'm beholden to that husbandman retired location who is struggling correct now to fig retired really they're going to support nan workplace open. I'm beholden correct now to those young group who spot that they person a early successful nan East. I'm beholden to those veterans and those subject families who are putting their lives connected nan statement each azygous day.

"I'm only beholden to nan group of eastbound North Carolina, and I deliberation group cognize that astir me."

Buckhout, a erstwhile Army colonel and first-time candidate, besides took purpose astatine Davis for his voting record.

"We person to admit that Davis is conscionable Biden's, you know, surrogate connected nan ground," Buckhout said. "He's his agent, he's his guy. He does what Biden says. He votes pinch Biden."

"I'm only beholden to nan group of eastbound North Carolina, and I deliberation group cognize that astir me," Davis told Fox News Digital. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Davis, however, urged voters to look astatine his grounds arsenic he campaigns successful nan race, which has been ranked a "Democrat Toss Up" by nonpartisan predetermination expert nan Cook Political Report.

"Anyone tin return a look astatine my record. I mean, you're talking to nan third-ranking personnel of our caucus successful nan Congress erstwhile it comes to bipartisanship," Davis said.

Asked astir nan main concerns among those surviving successful eastbound North Carolina, Davis admitted location are "enormous concerns correct now pinch costs."

"It's really costly erstwhile you put nan costs of nutrient connected apical of paying rent, a owe payment, housing. And we cognize that we still person awesome wellness disparities. And we person to past put immoderate costs of medications connected apical of that," he said. "It originates to adhd up, and it places a batch of accent connected families."

Davis said he had made much than 170 different stops successful nan territory arsenic he campaigns for re-election and recognizes that "people are hurting."

"I consciousness nan pain, you know, pinch nan costs of conscionable trying to make ends meet," he said.

Among different concerns, Davis, who antecedently served arsenic nan politician of Snow Hill, North Carolina, successful nan early 2000s, said his constituents person been vocal astir broadband and infrastructure.

Davis stands alongside Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., and Jared Golden, D-Maine, during a news convention astatine nan U.S. Capitol successful Washington, D.C., March 6, 2024. (Tierney L. Cross/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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In October 2023, nan North Carolina General Assembly adopted caller legislature territory boundaries, adding nan counties of Chowan, Franklin, Greene, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell and nan remainder of Vance to nan state's 1st Congressional District. The recently redrawn territory now excludes Wayne County.

Davis, who has served successful Congress since 2023 and antecedently served for 10 years successful nan North Carolina authorities Senate, will look disconnected against Buckhout successful nan state's wide predetermination Nov. 5.