Democrat Deborah K. Ross has won reelection to a fourth term representing North Carolina's 2nd Congressional District, defeating Republican Eugene Douglass and Libertarian Matthew Laszacs. The Associated Press called the race for Ross on Tuesday, with the incumbent holding a commanding lead at the time the call was made.
The win was first confirmed in live results posted by The New York Times, which noted that Ross, the incumbent, had the race called by the Associated Press. Vote-count figures varied slightly by outlet: the North State Journal reported that Ross had unofficially received 80% of the vote at the time the race was called, while WRAL put her final share at 75%, compared with 23.5% for Douglass and 1.3% for Laszacs.
A District Trending Bluer
The Times' election data showed that, with most results in, the 2nd District had voted 18 points more Democratic than it did in the 2024 presidential election — a notable shift for a seat that has remained in Democratic hands since Ross first won it. The NC Free Enterprise Foundation listed the full field for the race as Ross, the Democratic incumbent, Republican Eugene F. Douglass and Libertarian Matthew Laszacs.
As the Associated Press reported in coverage carried by The Daily Reflector, Ross's victory extends her run representing the Wake County-based district. Following the call, Ross struck a forward-looking tone in comments reported by WRAL: “I will keep fighting for progress and opportunities for our state, and will work every day to deliver results for Wake County,” she said.
Fourth Straight Win for Ross
Ross has now won the seat four consecutive times since first capturing it. The North State Journal's report recapped her earlier victories: she first won the 2nd District in the 2020 election by defeating Republican nominee Alan Swain, then won a second term in 2022 against Republican Christine Villaverde, and secured reelection again in 2024 against Swain.
This year's matchup against Douglass continued that winning streak. All results from Tuesday's election remain unofficial until North Carolina completes its canvass on Nov. 13, according to the same North State Journal report.
