Election 2024: Buckhout and Davis disagree on economic policy

In one of the closest races for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, Buckhout and Davis are battling for victory in the only truly competitive congressional race in North Carolina. In the 1st Congressional District, as in almost all parts of the country, the economy – regardless of the form of personal wealth, jobs, consumer prices or inflation – is the most important issue for voters.

According to a new survey by the Carolina JournalNearly half of all likely voters surveyed in North Carolina said either inflation/prices or jobs/economy were their top priorities.

Buckwheat says the American economy is “broken,” and the way to fix it and help families in need is an “America First” policy.

“The Biden-Davis agenda led to devastating inflation rates and made the cost of living in eastern North Carolina unaffordable,” their campaign website says. “Laurie will fight for working families who can't afford another year of rising prices at the pump and the grocery store. As a small business owner, Laurie knows what it takes to balance a budget and create American jobs. Rural communities like ours have seen the devastating effects of outsourcing good jobs. Laurie will fight to bring jobs back to rural communities here.”

Davis supports the Biden administration and its economic policy priorities and recently endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris.

“Don is working to improve the quality of life for families in Eastern North Carolina,” his campaign website says. “Our region has suffered for years underinvestment and under policies from Washington, DC that have ignored the real needs of rural communities. Don advocates for action to bring back good-paying jobs, support small businesses and strengthen North Carolina's agriculture industry.”

According to Davis' website, the solution to North Carolina's economic problems lies in greater financial investment in communities.

“He is pushing for critical investments to help Eastern North Carolina thrive, including ensuring access to broadband, which drives investment in small businesses and industry,” it says. “In addition, Don is working to create opportunities for children in rural communities.”

Buckhout said drastic changes are needed in the district, which has not elected a Republican candidate to the U.S. House of Representatives since 1883.

“Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have DESTROYED our country AND our state,” she said said on social media. “And with Liberal Don Davis, it's more of the same failed policies.”

Only by electing Republicans can the nation and the 1st District “change course” and see real change, Buckhout said.

She is careful to lump Davis in with Biden, who along with Harris has pushed Bidenomics and celebrated its supposed success. Interestingly, Harris' campaign bus promotes “a new way forward.”

“Here in North Carolina, Joe Biden and the Biden agenda have a name, and that is Don Davis. Davis enabled Joe Biden's failure,” she said in a opinion“But I am ready and able to take on Don Davis to fight for the working families of NC-01 by … fighting for the America First agenda that protects and promotes American jobs.”

Comments on inflation or the economy are largely absent from Davis' social media posts.

However, as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Davis has made job creation and providing federal funding and grants to North Carolina a top priority.

“Congressman Davis recognizes that things have become more difficult for families like his, and for many in Eastern North Carolina, the American dream has never seemed more out of reach,” his official said Website of the US House of Representatives he said. “That's why he is pushing policies in Washington, DC, aimed at rebuilding an economy that works for everyone by creating good-paying jobs, protecting the dignity of work, and fighting for fair wages and equitable employment practices in the workplace for all North Carolinians.”

With only 46 days left until election day, the seat is still open. Davis is predicted to win.