Six candidates are running in the Republican primary for North Carolina’s 6th Congressional District on March 5, 2024. Four lead in endorsements and local media attention: Christian Castelli (R), Bo Hines (R), Addison McDowell (R), and Mark Walker (R).
Castelli is a businessman and veteran of the U.S. Army. Castelli says he is running because “the world is on fire and Congress is broken. We must put America first and send a Green Beret to take that hill.” Castelli says he will prioritize border security, eliminating inflation, and defending freedom.
Hines is a local businessman and former college football player. Hines says he is running because “Our nation under Joe Biden faces a crisis of leadership, and many in the next generation of Americans – my generation – have abandoned the values that made this country great. I cannot sit on the sidelines and watch the nation I love decline any further.” Hines says he will be the most effective ally to President Trump (R) of any candidate on the ballot.
McDowell is a former government relations liaison who represented Blue Cross Blue Shield and a former staffer to former U.S. Rep. Ted Budd (R). McDowell says securing the southern border is a policy priority after he lost a brother to a fentanyl overdose. McDowell says Trump and Budd endorsed him “because they believe he is the candidate who will put up the strongest fight to help them promote the America First Agenda and secure our Southern border.”
Walker represented North Carolina’s 6th Congressional District from 2015 to 2021. Walker is running on his legislative record, describing himself as “the highest-rated conservative to ever serve in U.S. House leadership.” Walker says he had a 100% record of voting in favor of restrictions on abortion, earned an “A” rating from the National Rifle Association, and was the last member of the House to successfully move for a floor vote on a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget.
Also running in the primary are Mary Ann Contogiannis and Jay Wagner.
If no candidate wins more than 30% of the vote, the top two finishers will advance to a May 14 runoff.
No Democratic, minor party, or independent candidates filed to run in the district, meaning the winner of the primary will be unopposed in the general election. Incumbent Kathy Manning (D) is not running for re-election after redistricting shifted the partisan makeup of the district towards Republicans.
