North Carolina's 1st Congressional District has shattered spending records, becoming the most expensive House race in American history, according to new ad-tracking data released this week.
Democratic Rep. Don Davis, seeking another term in a district redrawn by Republican legislators, is locked in a tight battle with GOP challenger Laurie Buckhout, a retired Army colonel. AdImpact, a firm that monitors political advertising, reports a staggering $52.9 million has been poured into the contest so far.
Of that total, nearly $30 million has backed Davis's campaign, while Buckhout has attracted just over $23 million in ad support. Polls indicate a razor-thin margin in the district, which was reshaped in a GOP-led effort to bolster Republican chances in the House. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race as a "toss-up."
The spending surge marks a dramatic escalation from previous cycles. In 2024, the district's House race saw $38.5 million in spending, while Davis's first election in 2022 drew less than $7 million.
Republicans viewed the redrawn district as a prime pickup opportunity in the 2026 midterms, as the party fights to retain control of both chambers of Congress. Democrats, meanwhile, are aiming to reclaim the House, with Decision Desk HQ giving them roughly an 80% chance of doing so as of Thursday. The battle for the Senate appears closer, with Democrats holding a 60% probability of winning a majority.
The 2026 cycle is shaping up to be one of the most expensive in history. AdImpact projected earlier this month that total spending could soon exceed the $11.2 billion spent during the 2024 presidential election. Eight of the ten priciest House races ever recorded, according to the tracker, are from this year.
Other competitive contests have also broken records. Florida's 25th District and Michigan's 7th District have attracted $49.4 million and $47.7 million, respectively, according to AdImpact. The 2024 race in New York's 19th District, won by Democratic Rep. Josh Riley, still ranks fourth all-time with $47.2 million, and Maine's 2nd District race from 2024 also remains in the top ten.
With control of Congress hanging in the balance, outside groups and party committees are pouring unprecedented resources into key battlegrounds. The North Carolina race, in particular, has become a national focal point, drawing attention from both parties and setting a new benchmark for campaign spending.
As voters head to the polls, the outcome in the 1st District could prove pivotal in determining which party holds the gavel in the next Congress. The record-breaking spending underscores the high stakes of this midterm cycle, where every seat counts.
