ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — One of the most watched races for Congress in the country puts two veterans vying to represent eastern North Carolina’s 1st District.

The incumbent Democratic Rep. Don Davis is facing a political newcomer, Republican Laurie Buckhout.

Both candidates bring a focus on military issues. It’s no surprise, considering both have served in the armed forces – Buckhout in the Army and Davis in the Air Force.

Davis said he has already championed military issues during his first term in the House.

“We pushed back with the Air Force, kept a squadron from being cut and eliminating 520 jobs at the Air Force base,” he said.

Buckhout spent 26 years in the Army and comes from a family with a long history of military service. Her husband was an Army Ranger and her mother and father both served in the armed forces, Buckhout says on her website.

“I was a battalion commander, went to Iraq in 2003, ended up commanding a task force of like 600 to 800 folks through the war,” she told Spectrum News 1.

After serving in the Army, Buckhout went into business and has helped put veterans to work. “I started a company employing hard-working veterans to help keep our soldiers safe.”

District 1 was redrawn by Republican state lawmakers last year, but it remains largely rural and agricultural, although it includes the cities of Rocky Mount and Goldsboro.

Buckhout says that the economy is a key issue for the district and that her entrepreneurial experience gives her perspective on what will work for North Carolinians.

“I’ve walked around communities,” she said. “And I’ve asked them these key questions: Is anything better from 4 years ago, is gas any cheaper, are groceries any cheaper, are you able to make ends meet?”

“No,” Buckhout said. “The answer is always a resounding no.”

Davis grew up in the region and served as mayor of Snow Hill, and he said representing the district is personal for him.

“I’m from eastern North Carolina,” he said. “Every level, as a mayor I understand the challenges of so many small towns across the east. When you look at the east, you see the highest health care disparities from birth and from mortality.”

Davis, who co-chairs what is known as the state Medicaid Expansion Caucus, said he takes particular pride in expanding the federal health insurance program in North Carolina, which took effect in December.

“Finally when the General Assembly voted to expand, for me that was so fulfilling because I know that another 95,000 eastern North Carolinians will now be able to have access to care,” said Davis, who also spent 12 years in the state Senate.

Some of his decisions and his moderate voting record have been known to raise eyebrows within his own party, and he has been known to go against the majority.

“That just means you listen to everyone,” he said.

He was among only six Democrats who supported a resolution to condemn Vice President Kamala Harris for her role in the Biden administration’s border policy, and Davis prides himself on visiting the border three times.

“I support comprehensive immigration reform that’s done in a humane and civil way,” he said. “But we must work together and put the people first.”

Buckhout said her priorities will be fighting illegal immigration, tackling fentanyl addiction and supporting veterans.

“Veterans care very much needs help,” she said. “I keep in touch with several of my combat veteran soldiers. Many of them have committed suicide.”

“We don’t need the bureaucrats, we need help for our soldiers and for our veterans,” she said.