HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. — The Republican primary in western North Carolina has attracted national attention as Rep. Madison Cawthorn faces tough challengers in his race for reelection.

Many of North Carolina's top Republicans, including Sen. Thom Tillis and GOP leaders in the General Assembly, have endorsed Cawthorn opponent Chuck Edwards.

What You Need To Know

  • Rep. Madison Cawthorn is facing strong challengers in the GOP primary for his seat in Congress

  • Many Republican leaders in the state, including Sen. Thom Tillis, have endorsed Cawthorn opponent Chuck Edwards

  • The district in western North Carolina is heavily Republican, so the winner of the primary will likely win the General Election in November

  • Early voting ends Saturday and the election is Tuesday

It will come down to the voters in Tuesday's GOP primary for North Carolina's 11th Congressional District.

"I’ve met him on a number of occasions. Seems like a nice young guy," said Paul Brock, owner of the Tobacco Merchant in downtown Hendersonville, Cawthorn's hometown.  

Brock said he voted a straight Republican ticket two years ago, including casting a vote for Cawthorn.

But after two years with Cawthorn as his congressman, Brock said he won't be voting for Cawthorn again.

"A lack of maturity, a little too bombastic and frankly on his record I don’t think he’s done a lot for the constituency," Brock said.

At 26, Cawthorn is the youngest member of Congress. He's courted controvery, including calling Ukraine's president a "thug" and saying he's seen leaders in Washington doing cocaine.

He's also gotten in trouble with the law, recently being cited for driving with a revoked license and bringing a loaded handgun through airport security.

Cawthorn’s controversies have motivated Democrats and a host of Republicans to run here in the district, setting up a crowded primary.

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His challengers include a state senator, a businessman and a former county GOP chair.

But not all Cawthorn's voters from the last election have turned away from him.

"Some of the stuff I try to keep up with, but I stay so busy it’s hard for me to follow a lot of it," said Daniel Closer, owner of K&B Meat Processing in Swain County.

"I’m happy with his voting record, and I really don’t know any of the other candidates. It’s hard to vote for someone in the primary if you don’t know them to succeed a sitting congressman," Closer said. So his vote in the primary will go to Cawthorn.

The 11th Congressional District is solidly Republican, so the GOP primary winner will likely go on to win the General Election and represent western North Carolina in Congress for the next two years.

 

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