Wednesday, August 19, 2026
By Mark Jurkowitz | Outer Banks Voice on February 23, 2026
There are five Republican candidates vying to face incumbent Democrat Don Davis in the state’s 1st Congressional District, which was redrawn by the NC legislature last year to make the District more favorable to Republicans.
The Republican candidates are NC State Senator Bobby Hanig; Vice-chair of Lenoir County Board of Commissioners Eric Rouse; Carteret County Sheriff Asa Buck; attorney Ashley-Nicole Russell; and Laurie Buckhout, the Republican nominee for the District 1 seat in 2024 who was defeated by Davis in a close race.
Four of the candidates responded to questions from the Voice asking about their qualifications and priorities. Their answers, which have not been edited, are included in this story. Sheriff Buck did not provide a response to the Voice questions.
Laurie Buckhout
I’m a retired Army Colonel, small business owner, and national security professional. I served 26 years in uniform, commanded troops in combat, and was later appointed by President Trump to work in the Department of War. After military service, I built and led a successful business focused on leadership, security, and strategic planning. I’ve spent my career serving the country, both in government and the private sector.
Bobby Hanig
As a U.S. Army veteran, small business owner, and State Senator, I have been representing northeastern North Carolina for more than a decade. I live in Currituck County with my wife Dana and am a proud parent to my daughter.
Before entering public office, I built two successful small businesses in the Outer Banks. Starting as a one-man operation, I learned firsthand what it takes to meet a payroll, manage regulations, and grow a business—experience that continues to inform my work on behalf of taxpayers and job creators.
My public service began at the local level as Chairman of the Currituck County Board of Commissioners, where I focused on fiscal discipline, infrastructure, and responsible growth. I later served in the North Carolina House of Representatives and now serve in the State Senate, where I have helped advance conservative policies on taxes, public safety, parental rights, and limiting government overreach.
As a veteran of the U.S. Army, I bring a practical, results-oriented approach to leadership shaped by military service, private-sector experience, and local government. I have focused on accountability, conservative values, and a commitment to families and communities across the First Congressional District.
Ashley Nicole Russell
I’m Ashley Nicole Russell, an attorney and small business owner running for Congress in North Carolina’s 1st District. I’m the founder and CEO of AN|R Law, North Carolina’s first collaborative family law firm, serving families across all 100 counties. I’ve also built multiple small businesses in marketing, retail, and food service, which means I’ve experienced firsthand what it takes to meet payroll, manage rising costs, and navigate government red tape.
I’m a mother of four, and I’m running because Eastern North Carolina deserves practical leadership grounded in real-world experience.
Eric Rouse
Eric Rouse is a big believer in the American Dream and is running for Congress to fight for the America First Agenda that protects and promotes more and better American jobs for American workers. Rouse’s father was a small business owner, so Rouse saw first-hand every day how much hard work it takes to manage a small business.
A Job Creator, Not a Career Politician
After earning his degree from East Carolina University, Rouse returned home to Kinston and got to work. Despite the challenges of burdensome government overregulation, Eric has successfully created and currently operates six small businesses, ranging from modular construction to concrete to directional drilling. And yes, Rouse has his Commercial Driver’s License (CDL – it’s a license to drive a big truck) if he needs to deliver the equipment himself. As a proven job creator, Rouse understands that small businesses are the backbone of our economy and is running to fight for the America First Agenda and to roll back the regulations that stifle growth and opportunity. Rouse also has a Federal Firearms License.
A Proven Conservative Record.
Rouse currently serves the community as a Lenoir County Commissioner, where he has earned a reputation as a fiscal conservative. During his tenure, Rouse has been a stalwart champion for taxpayers, consistently voting against all tax and fee increases. His record is a testament to his belief that responsible government means managing taxpayer money with the same care and discipline required to run a small business or manage a family budget. Rouse and his wife, Alice, live in Kinston with their two children and three dogs.
Laurie Buckhout
The biggest challenge Americans face is affordability. President Trump has taken great steps to tackle the runaway inflation we saw under Joe Biden, and there is a lot more work to do. We must work together to make sure working families can prosper. With me in Congress, Eastern North Carolina will have someone who wakes up every morning ready to tackle this issue.
Bobby Hanig
The economy, which includes the cost of living and making the economy work for all. Eastern North Carolinians are some of the hardest workers in the country and I know many are struggling and I will work with President Trump to roll back the Biden inflation policies help ease their financial burden.
Ashley Nicole Russell
The economy.
Families are dealing with higher grocery and healthcare costs while Washington continues reckless spending that drives inflation. At the same time, we need stronger enforcement of our laws, deportations of illegal aliens, and aggressive action against the crime and fentanyl tied to illegal immigration over the last several years.
Restoring fiscal discipline and public safety must be top priorities.
Eric Rouse
Balanced budget amendment, we can keep kicking the can down the road for future generations to deal with.
Laurie Buckhout
My top priorities are to help President Trump advance his America First agenda: restoring fiscal discipline, strengthening national defense, finishing the border wall, and lowering costs for working families. I will fight to rein in reckless spending, reduce inflation, support our military and veterans, and advance policies that allow small businesses and agriculture in eastern North Carolina to thrive.
Bobby Hanig
I will focus on practical reforms that strengthen the economy, protect taxpayers, and honor those who have served. My priorities include improving health care access for veterans, creating jobs by supporting small businesses and economic growth, reducing taxes and government spending, and lowering health care costs by increasing competition and cutting federal mandates. I also support protecting Social Security to ensure its long-term stability, eliminating the U.S. Department of Education by returning education decisions to states and parents, and reducing regulations that hinder growth and entrepreneurship.
Ashley Nicole Russell
Yes. My priorities include stopping runaway federal spending and supporting a Balanced Budget Amendment, advancing term limits to end career politics, cutting red tape for small businesses, protecting children by banning sex-change procedures for minors and keeping biological boys out of girls’ sports, restoring parents’ rights, and defending the Second Amendment without compromise.
I will also work with President Donald Trump to continue securing the border, fully fund Border Patrol and ICE, deport illegal aliens, and crack down on fentanyl and violent crime.
Eric Rouse
Balanced budget amendment and reversing Biden’s disastrous policies.
Laurie Buckhout
Congress can function in a bipartisan way when members are serious about results instead of headlines. I’m willing to work with anyone who is focused on solving real problems, protecting our country, and respecting the Constitution. Compromise should never mean abandoning my core conservative principles.
Bobby Hanig
Absolutely, that is the way it functions most of the time. Most legislation, whether in Washington or in the General Assembly have bipartisan support. This is what I have done in Raleigh and will do the same in Washington to improve the lives of voters in Eastern North Carolina.
Ashley Nicole Russell
Congress can work together when there is a genuine focus on solving real problems. I’m open to working with anyone who wants to lower costs, rein in spending, protect children, or improve public safety. My goal is results for Eastern North Carolina.
Eric Rouse
Yes I believe there in roads and some middle of the road congressmen to develop relationships with.
Laurie Buckhout
President Trump needs warriors to help him Make America Great Again. I bring real leadership experience, not political talking points. I’ve led in high-pressure environments, managed large teams and budgets, and made tough decisions where failure was not an option. I’m not running to become a career politician; I’m running to restore accountability, common sense, and strength in Washington because that’s what our communities here in eastern North Carolina deserve.
Bobby Hanig
Because I am the candidate who will defeat Don Davis. Also, I am the only candidate with a winning record of advancing President Trump’s agenda by getting tough on illegal immigrants, reducing taxes, cutting government spending, keeping boys out of girls’ sports, increasing penalties for criminals, and standing up for our shrimpers and watermen.
Ashley Nicole Russell
I’m not a career politician. I bring real-world experience from building businesses and helping families through difficult moments. I understand how federal policies affect people at the kitchen table, not just on paper.
I support term limits because Washington should not be a lifetime job, and I’m willing to challenge the status quo to deliver meaningful change.
Eric Rouse
Long history of job creation of blue-collar type jobs, grew up farming and understand AG, served as a commissioner for 16 years and am currently vice chair on a democratic board, Never voted for a tax increase, and am against higher taxes, I know what it’s like to sign the front of a paycheck as well as the back, For a balanced budget and know how to develop a budget and stay within it.
Laurie Buckhout
What many people don’t know is that I didn’t come from politics or privilege; I came up through hard work, military service, and personal responsibility. I know what it means to lead from the front, to be accountable for outcomes, and to put the mission and the people first. That’s exactly how I’ll serve in Congress.
Bobby Hanig
I’ve seen government from all sides. As a small business owner, a county commissioner, and a state legislator. I understand how federal decisions don’t stop in Washington but flow directly to local governments, small businesses, and families. That experience makes me skeptical of one-size-fits-all mandates and heavy regulation. It’s why I believe decisions are best made as close to the people as possible, with accountability and common sense leading the way.
Ashley Nicole Russell
Much of my career has been spent helping parents and children during some of the hardest seasons of their lives. That work shaped how I see leadership, with empathy, accountability, and a focus on practical solutions.
Eric Rouse
Christian and constitutional conservative. You can’t spell America without ERIC so vote ROUSE for the House.
Comments
Val Price
Laurie is the best and only candidate to defeat Don Davis 1 Don is the least qualified of any politician in NC .
Dianna Stugen
Thanks for printing this and making it available. Lots to think about.
Jim Doran
First thing that stood out was Eric Rouse didn’t answer a single question. He simply submitted talking points from his campaign literature. The other two candidates have been here for much longer than Laurie Buckhout, so the one question I asked myself is why didn’t they try to turn the district red in any previous election. The district has been blue since Noah brought the Ark into Edenton Bay. Laurie’s 1st crack at it she came with in 1.6% of beating the incumbent. With the new districts drawn up for this cycle it’s a much better opportunity for us, and Laurie’s the person who can make it happen. President Trump and I are supporting Laurie Buckhout, join us.
For The Outer Banks Voice, thank you for presenting us with this information and allowing us to comment on it.
Rocky the Rockfish
One glaring question that should be asked to these candidates is “Where do you stand on federal aide to Israel and the why do we need to get into endless wars for the Zionist?
libby
Why would anyone vote for Buckhout when Davis beat her in 2024.
I’m voting for hardworking Hanig.
Craig
Too late. Already voted.
Mark Jurkowitz | Outer Banks Voice
Good for you.
Grandy Voice
@Val Davis, this is from Rep. Davis’s published bio. He seems to have the varied life-experience to relate to and represent many people. He has a bachelors degree, two masters, and a doctorate.
Please explain why he’s ‘the least qualified’, or I’m left to assume the obvious…you would like a little more milk in your tea.
“As a young man, Congressman Davis worked in the tobacco fields and faithfully attended the same church where he currently ministers. He graduated in 1994 from the United States Air Force Academy and became a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force, where he actively served in uniform for eight years. As a first lieutenant, Davis coordinated Air Force One and CODEL operations at Andrews Air Force Base and supported families of military members as a mortuary officer.”
Greg
None of these candidates except perhaps Hanig understand a coastal community and its wetlands and waters. The coastal counties are at the end if a massive watershed. The NC GOP has shown little regard and understanding of our geography. The three counties of Dare, Currituck and Hyde provide the 4th highest amount of occupancy receipts in NC. These counties are vital in the seafood business in both wild caught and aquaculture. Inland GOP politicians bend to developers who want to destroy inland wetlands which degrades our water quality as those wetlands slow runoff into coastal waters. Clean Coastal waters drives two important businesses, those being tourism and Commercial fishing.
Wombatnc
By assessing these answers, it seems Laurie Buckholt is so far up Trumps butt that when he coughs she winces. Come on – how about focusing on NE NC’s needs without all of the glorious words for him; the one who ran on “America First” and keeping us out of wars and regime changes in othee countries (Iran twice now, Venezuela). In the process, he is continuing to add to our massive debt. I do recall that was once a conservative principle (balanced budget); only candidate Rouse addressed that issue.
OBXBill
Anyone who has Trump on their mailer does NOT get my independent vote! It’s quite “rich” these candidates add that to their resume. As others noted, we do not need new congressional members way up Trump’s ass, given where that has gotten us thus far. Look at the current members of Congress and their ineffective check on executive power. Will any of these congressional candidates be any different?? Turmoil in US streets, new foreign conflicts/instability (Iran), increased prices/insurance/health costs (escrow over $1000+ increase this year, health insurance costs doubled with less coverage), rising financial inequality and cost of living (housing), stagnant wage growth, etc, etc…
LakeManRob
Thank you OBX voice for the background on these candidates. I read all the comments and here is my “2 cents”. I’m a native NC resident(we are getting very diluted) grew up in CLT, business in Ral since ’01, retired at Lake Gaston. So I hear you guys loud and clear about the interests of the coast being 2nd fiddle to everyone else. And I voted for Trump all 3 times…because he isn’t a “Politician”.
-Russell; like Trump, no politician, but also no experience in setting up ongoing organizations to battle in the Big Lanes.
-Rouse; no politician, but does have some local experience, I like his short answers about controlling spending. The US doesn’t have a revenue problem but a spending problem.
-Buckhout; savy, Trump backs her, but she did lose last time.
-Haniq; career politician…but he does have the ground game/structure to win over Davis and the DNC
So in short, i like Rouse, but i think Haniq has the best chance to win. And Numbers in the House are what matters these days, as the Dems all vote in “Lock Step”.