Former GOP Rep. Mark Walker Abandons North Carolina Governor Race to Pursue Congressional Seat

Walker's decision follows approval of new congressional district maps, shifting his focus from governor bid to reclaiming former House seat from Democratic incumbent Kathy Manning; March 5, 2024 primary looms.

Former GOP Rep. Mark Walker has withdrawn from the North Carolina governor race to run for a congressional seat in the House, following the approval of new congressional district maps by North Carolina Republicans.
Walker, having previously represented North Carolina’s 6th congressional district from 2015 to 2021, sees a renewed opportunity with the newly drafted maps which appear to favor the Republican Party.
Walker expressed his intention to return to Congress to fight what he describes as a 'radical movement designed to steal the very soul of our nation,' emphasizing the need for conservative representation grounded in faith.
Undeterred by his previous defeats, including being redistricted out of his congressional seat in 2020 and finishing third in the Republican U.S. Senate primary in 2022, Walker is set to face off against Democratic incumbent Kathy Manning, who criticized the new district maps as a move to ensure Republican dominance.
With the North Carolina primary scheduled for March 5, 2024, Walker's decision reflects strategic calculations within the Republican Party regarding the most advantageous positions for key figures in upcoming elections.