Trump makes surprise endorsement in North Carolina congressional race

Former President Donald Trump endorsed lobbyist Addison McDowell Wednesday in McDowell’s campaign for a Greensboro-area congressional seat — a blow to candidate Bo Hines, who was endorsed by Trump in 2022, and former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker, who is seeking a return to Congress.

McDowell has worked in North Carolina Republican politics for years and lobbies for Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, and he’s making his first run for elected office. He and his brother, fellow lobbyist Ches McDowell, were at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, on Tuesday to meet with the former president and his team.

“He and his family are fierce advocates for our America First movement,” Trump said on social media. “In Congress, Addison will work hard to Secure the Border, Defend the Second Amendment, Lower your Taxes, Grow our Economy, and Strengthen the Military. Addison McDowell will be a great Congressman, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement!"

McDowell, who is from Davidson County, said he was honored to have Trump's endorsement and that he would prioritize border security.

"We lost our brother seven years ago to fentanyl overdose and it still hurts like it was yesterday," McDowell said in a statement. "I don’t want anyone to have to endure that heartache, and I can’t wait to get to Congress to help [U.S. Sen.] Ted Budd and President Trump make sure our border patrol and law enforcement officers get the support they need and deserve.”

Trump’s endorsement will help the newcomer stand out in a crowded field. In addition to Walker and Hines, two other Republicans have filed for the race: Mary Ann Contogiannis of Greensboro and Christian Castelli, the Republican nominee in 2022 who lost to U.S. Rep. Kathy Manning in 2022. High Point Mayor Jay Wagner has also announced plans to run for this seat.

Manning said last week that she wouldn’t seek reelection. Her district lines were redrawn this year by Republican state lawmakers, who shifted her seat from a safe Democratic seat to a safe Republican one.

Manning's newly redrawn district would've voted for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump by a large margin in 2020, and whoever wins the GOP primary in 2024 is expected to win the general election, too.

Trump’s endorsement of McDowell could be a test of the strength of the former president’s seal of approval. Once a powerful boost to any GOP campaign, Trump’s backing has been closely watched in recent months as he has faced federal charges in cases involving election laws and allegations of financial crimes.

The former president is the leading candidate for the Republican presidential nominee next year, and he remains a giant among Republicans in North Carolina, where he is expected to involve himself in multiple races.

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, the Republican front-runner in the governor’s race, was also in Mar-a-Lago Tuesday, holding a fundraiser with the former president. Trump has said repeatedly that he will endorse Robinson in that race.

Trump’s backing of McDowell could prove particularly stinging for Hines, who rode Trump’s support and an accompanying national fundraising boost, to the Republican nomination in last year’s 13th Congressional District race in the Raleigh suburbs. Hines lost the general election to U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel, though, and is trying his luck now in the 6th District.

Walker represented parts of this district for three terms. He declined to run for reelection in 2020 after the district was redrawn to lean toward Democrats as part of a gerrymandering lawsuit.

Walker ran for the U.S. Senate in 2022 and placed third in the Republican primary. He previously announced a campaign for governor this year until the 6th District was again redrawn, creating a seat more favorable to a Republican.

Walker said his focus is undeterred by the endorsement.

"I believe the voters want someone who has a proven conservative track record of fighting for our values in the 6th District," he said in a text.

Hines did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

The state’s new congressional map is expected to flip three to four U.S. House seats from Democratic control to Republican, turning a 7-7 North Carolina delegation into one that’s 10-4 or 11-3 in favor of Republicans.

A lawsuit has been filed alleging an illegal gerrymander, but it may not be decided until after these elections.