Don Davis

Don Davis
Birthplace	North Carolina, United States
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician
Title	U.S. Representative for North Carolina's 1st congressional district
Known for	Serving as the U.S. Representative for North Carolina's 1st congressional district

Donald G. "Don" Davis is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party who serves as the U.S. Representative for North Carolina's 1st congressional district. A military veteran and former member of the North Carolina Senate, Davis represents a district that encompasses a large portion of eastern North Carolina. His congressional tenure has been marked by a focus on rural healthcare, agriculture, and bipartisan legislative efforts. Davis has positioned himself as a moderate Democrat in a competitive district, working across the aisle on issues affecting his largely rural constituency. As the incumbent heading into the 2026 election cycle, he faces a contested Republican primary field seeking to challenge him for the seat.

Career

U.S. House of Representatives

Don Davis serves as the U.S. Representative for North Carolina's 1st Congressional District. As a Democrat representing a district that has been redrawn to be more competitive, Davis has sought to demonstrate his effectiveness by securing federal investments for the region and pursuing bipartisan legislation on issues central to rural eastern North Carolina.

Healthcare Investments

In February 2026, Davis announced the confirmation of a $1 million federal investment directed to Washington Regional Medical Center in Plymouth, North Carolina. The funding was designated to support the acquisition of medical equipment at the hospital, which serves a rural community in the eastern part of the state. The investment was part of Davis's broader effort to improve healthcare access and infrastructure in underserved areas of his district. The announcement was covered by multiple regional outlets, with WITN reporting that Davis had "funded the grant" for medical equipment at the Plymouth hospital.

Agricultural Legislation

Agriculture has been a significant focus of Davis's legislative agenda, reflecting the importance of farming to the economy of eastern North Carolina. In February 2026, Davis co-led the introduction of the bipartisan SAFE CATTLE Act, legislation aimed at protecting livestock, wildlife, and rural economies from the New World screwworm, a parasitic threat to cattle and other animals. The bill represented a cross-party effort, with Davis working alongside Republican colleagues to address a concern relevant to ranchers and farmers across the United States.

Davis has also championed programs and legislation focused on supporting the next generation of American farmers. In February 2026, he invited 17-year-old farmer Nathanael Simmons to attend the 2026 State of the Union Address as his guest. Simmons was described as a "next-generation farmer," and Davis used the invitation to highlight his ongoing legislative push to support young people entering agriculture. According to the Spring Hope Enterprise, Davis was using the occasion to promote legislation aimed at helping young farmers establish themselves in an industry facing an aging workforce.

2026 Election Cycle

Heading into 2026, Davis is the incumbent Democrat in North Carolina's 1st Congressional District, a seat that has drawn significant interest from Republican challengers. The district was redrawn in recent redistricting, making it more competitive. As of February 2026, five Republican candidates were vying in the GOP primary for the opportunity to face Davis in the general election.

A debate among four of the Republican primary candidates took place in February 2026 and was covered by WRAL. The candidates discussed a range of issues including immigration, Iran, tariffs, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), all of which they framed in the context of their opposition to Davis's record. The debate was described as a key event in the competitive primary. WTKR also covered the debate, noting that the Republican candidates made "their final plea to voters" in the district ahead of the primary election.

The Outer Banks Voice profiled the five Republican candidates and their positions on key issues and priorities, characterizing the race as one of the more closely watched congressional contests in North Carolina.

Legislative Focus and Political Positioning

Davis's legislative record in Congress reflects an emphasis on issues affecting rural communities, particularly healthcare access, agricultural policy, and economic development. His securing of federal funding for the Washington Regional Medical Center in Plymouth and his co-leadership of the bipartisan SAFE CATTLE Act are representative of this focus.

His decision to invite a young farmer to the State of the Union Address underscored his interest in agricultural policy, particularly programs that encourage younger generations to pursue careers in farming. The invitation of Nathanael Simmons, a 17-year-old, was tied to Davis's advocacy for legislation supporting next-generation farmers.

As a Democrat representing a redrawn and more competitive district, Davis has sought to cultivate a bipartisan image. His co-leadership of the SAFE CATTLE Act with Republican legislators is one example of this approach. The contested Republican primary to challenge him, involving five candidates debating issues such as immigration, trade policy, and federal emergency management, suggests that the 2026 general election will be competitive.