Who's running in North Carolina's 13th congressional district
4 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
4 candidates · ballot order · Brad Knott currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Law enforcement and prosecution policy, drawing on his years as a federal prosecutor.
Business and economic policy; he is endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Border security and immigration enforcement.
The Republican legislative agenda in Congress.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative for the 13th District since January 2025; elected in 2024 with 58.6%, flipping the seat.
Former federal prosecutor.
Beat Sid Sharma in the March 3, 2026 Republican primary.
Endorsed by President Trump and by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Holds telephone town halls with constituents.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Knott by name could be found. Searched: his name with 'criticism' and 'town hall', against Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee material, against Paul Barringer's campaign, and against News & Observer, WRAL and Daily Record coverage. Because no case against him exists on the record, no case for him is presented either, rather than showing his own side's case unanswered.
He is endorsed by President Trump and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; those endorsements are recorded here rather than presented as a one-sided argument.
He has been in office since January 2025, so his voting record is short.
Medicaid and public health programme accountability, cost control and access to care, the subject of his consulting career.
Common sense and North Carolina values, the framing of his campaign.
Rural land and forestry issues, drawing on his family timberland.
Access to legal representation, drawing on his pro bono work.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Attorney and health care consultant with more than twenty years advising state governments on Medicaid and other public programmes.
Beat Frank Pierce and Alexander Nicholi in the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary.
Endorsed by former U.S. Rep. David Price, the News & Observer in the Democratic primary, and the Young Democrats of North Carolina.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Barringer by name could be found. Searched: his name with 'criticism', against National Republican Congressional Committee material, against Brad Knott's campaign, and against News & Observer, WRAL and Daily Record coverage. Because no case against him exists on the record, no case for him is presented either.
His endorsements are recorded above rather than presented as a one-sided argument.
His fundraising was not established from sources read.
Sought the Democratic nomination for this district and was disqualified from the March 3, 2026 primary.
Listed by Ballotpedia among the candidates in the November 3, 2026 general election.
Was endorsed by Track AIPAC during his primary campaign.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
His party affiliation on the general election ballot could not be confirmed: Wikipedia records him as disqualified from the Democratic primary while Ballotpedia lists him among the general election candidates, and the two accounts were not reconciled from sources read.
His biography and policy positions could not be established: no campaign website, candidate questionnaire or news profile covering him was located.
No published criticism of Aguilar by name could be found, and no published case for him beyond his primary endorsement.
Libertarian candidate for North Carolina's 13th District in the November 3, 2026 general election.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
Swinton's biography and policy positions could not be established: no campaign website, candidate questionnaire or news profile covering him was located. The standsFor list is left empty rather than filled with guesses.
No published criticism of Swinton by name could be found, and no published case for him beyond the ballot listing.
His fundraising was not established from sources read.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
North Carolina held its primary on March 3, 2026. Republican incumbent Brad Knott beat Sid Sharma for renomination; Democrat Paul Barringer beat Frank Pierce and Alexander Nicholi. Ballotpedia also lists Anthony Aguilar and Libertarian Steven Swinton on the general election ballot; Aguilar had been disqualified from the Democratic primary and appears to be running outside the two major parties, and his affiliation could not be confirmed. The district covers Caswell, Franklin, Harnett, Johnston, Lee and Person counties, most of Granville and part of Wake. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia and WTOP reporting. None of the candidates is shown with arguments for or against: no published criticism of any of them by name from someone opposing them could be found.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A North Carolina ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at North Carolina State Board of Elections.