Don Davis: “I’ve been strong on China and it seems like they’re willing to do whatever to win an election, but above that, to create a distraction from the issues that people in eastern North Carolina talk about all the time.”
New reporting for NOTUS sets the record straight on Congressman Don Davis’ history of standing up to China.
As NOTUS highlights, Don Davis “co-sponsored the American Security Drone Act of 2023, which restricts the obtaining of any covered unmanned aircraft system that is manufactured or assembled by a covered foreign entity.”
He also “voted in September to pass the Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024. The law would require the Committee on Foreign Investments to determine whether a national-security review is necessary for agricultural land transactions that are referred by the Department of Agriculture.”
Meanwhile, Buckhout couldn’t be bothered to comment about having up to $140,000 invested in entities with ties to China, but she’s all too happy to lie and use China as a cynical cudgel when she thinks North Carolina voters won’t notice.
DCCC Spokesperson Lauryn Fanguen:
“Eastern North Carolinians won’t fall for Laurie Buckhout’s lies and cynical attempt to use China as a distraction from her extreme anti-abortion agenda and lack of plan that would do nothing to actually help North Carolina working families.”
North Carolina Republicans looking to unseat Democratic incumbent Rep. Don Davis are trying to make the House race about China.
In the past week, Republicans have placed two ads highlighting Davis’ voting record on policy involving China. With a large military footprint in the district, Republicans say concern about China as a national security threat is growing among voters in eastern North Carolina.
Davis, meanwhile, not only rejects all his opponent’s attacks, but also their premise: Voters in his district aren’t casting a ballot on China policy, he told NOTUS.
“[Republicans] will do and say anything to misguide the voters on my record with China,” Davis said of the messages his Republican challenger, Laurie Buckhout, has campaigned on. “I’ve been strong on China and it seems like they’re willing to do whatever to win an election, but above that, to create a distraction from the issues that people in eastern North Carolina talk about all the time.”
Democrats can’t afford to lose many House races as they vie for the majority, and Davis’ seat is their best hope at holding on to a competitive seat in North Carolina. The largely rural district is also an area Democrats have renewed focus on this election cycle, especially as North Carolina looks increasingly in play.
He co-sponsored the American Security Drone Act of 2023, which restricts the obtaining “of any covered unmanned aircraft system that is manufactured or assembled by a covered foreign entity.” This was included in the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, which Davis voted for and was signed into law. His vote against the DHS appropriations bill was related to its cuts to funding for natural disaster and resiliency initiatives, cuts to TSA worker pay and cuts to funding for U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s border-management requirements, Davis’ team told NOTUS.
“What I think they’re misrepresenting is that we actually voted for the provision that they’re claiming that I don’t support,” Davis said in response.
Republicans’ ads also say Davis backed a bill that could send China billions of dollars for manufacturing jobs that could’ve come to North Carolina, referring to his support of the Inflation Reduction Act. (The claim that the IRA shipped jobs to China has been reported as false.)
Davis voted in September to pass the Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024. The law would require the Committee on Foreign Investments to determine whether a national-security review is necessary for agricultural land transactions that are referred by the Department of Agriculture. The law passed in the House and has been referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs in the Senate.
Davis’ allies, including his 1st District predecessor, G.K. Butterfield, still say Republicans’ focus on this issue is a dead end.
“That’s a campaign of desperation,” Butterfield told NOTUS. “I know it when I see it. North Carolina voters are worried about pocketbook issues.”
“I hope Laurie Buckhout keeps on doing these ads because they’re not resonating with anyone,” Butterfield added. “This issue will not result in one single vote loss from the Davis campaign.”
Davis, who leads Buckhout by over $500,000 in money raised this cycle, and who has more than $2 million more in cash on hand, says he won’t give much time to Republicans’ claims about his record on China.
“I’m a 1994 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and I serve on the House Armed Services Committee,” Davis said. “I’m aware of China’s threats to our national security … I see this as an attempt to be a distraction, and I’m going to stay focused on the people.”
