Former U.S. Representative Mark Walker has decided to forego his attempt to regain a congressional seat in North Carolina, choosing instead to join Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. This move averts a potentially contentious House primary runoff against Addison McDowell, a former state health care lobbyist backed by the ex-president.
McDowell, who enjoyed the support of Trump and several unsuccessful candidates in the Republican primary, will now proceed to the general election in North Carolina’s 6th Congressional District. The district was redrawn last year by state GOP lawmakers to heavily favor the Republican party.
Walker announced on Wednesday that he had decided against filing for a runoff, opting instead to serve as director of outreach for faith and minority communities within Trump’s presidential campaign. He expressed his confidence in McDowell’s ability to serve the 6th district effectively, allowing him to focus on his new role with the Trump campaign.
Despite no candidate securing more than 30% of the vote in the March 5 primary, state law permits the top two vote-getters to advance to a runoff election if the second-place finisher, in this case, Walker, requests one. Walker had previously hinted at the possibility of a runoff, even suggesting a debate with McDowell, but confirmed on Wednesday that he would not be filing for one.
Walker also revealed that he had been offered a position in a potential second Trump administration, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to continue working with Trump post the November elections.
Trump announced Walker’s new role in his campaign shortly before Walker himself made the announcement. The former president expressed his eagerness to continue working with Walker, welcoming him to the campaign.
This isn’t the first time Trump has influenced a House election this cycle. He has previously endorsed other races and was among several Republicans who successfully persuaded Tennessee Rep. Mark Green to reverse his retirement decision and run for re-election.
Walker served in the House from 2015 to 2021, choosing to leave after redistricting turned his seat into a Democratic-leaning one. He unsuccessfully ran for Senate in 2022, losing in the primary to Rep. Ted Budd, who was endorsed by Trump. He briefly ran for governor this cycle before dropping out and entering the 6th District race.
With the current 6th District Democratic Rep. Kathy Manning choosing to retire rather than run for the redrawn safe GOP seat and no Democrat attempting to succeed her, McDowell, a former congressional aide to Budd, is set to enter Congress next year.
McDowell expressed his gratitude and honor at being chosen as the next Congressman for the 6th district on social media, following Walker’s decision to end his campaign.