{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Steven Swinton","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"LIB","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nSteven Zshon Michael Swinton is the Libertarian Party candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in North Carolina's 13th Congressional District, on the November 3, 2026 general-election ballot [1]. He filed for the seat on December 17, 2025, listing Sanford, North Carolina as his residence; State Board of Elections filing records show no primary was held for the Libertarian nomination in the district [1]. He appears on the general-election ballot with Republican incumbent Brad Knott, who was sworn in for his current term on January 3, 2025, and Democrat Paul Barringer [1][2].\n\nThe Rant, a Lee County news outlet, reported in December 2025 that the 13th District \"covers all of Lee, Harnett, Johnston, Franklin, Person, and Caswell counties, and parts of Wake and Granville counties,\" and that \"[t]he Cook PVI report for 2025 lists NC-13 as R+9, or 'solid Republican'\" [3].\n\nSwinton's Federal Election Commission candidate ID is H6NC13251. The FEC candidate master file for the 2025-2026 cycle lists no principal campaign committee for him [4], and a survey of North Carolina congressional campaign-finance reports noted that \"[t]here is no report for Sanford Libertarian Steven Swinton\" [5].\n\nOn April 1, 2026, U.S. Term Limits announced that Swinton had signed its pledge for a constitutional amendment limiting congressional terms. The pledge reads: \"I pledge that as a member of Congress, I will cosponsor and vote for the U.S. Term Limits amendment of three (3) two-year House terms and two (2) six-year Senate terms and no longer limit.\" The organization said the district's incumbent, Rep. Brad Knott, also signed [6].\n\n## Office history\n\nSwinton was the Libertarian nominee for North Carolina Senate District 19 in the November 5, 2024 general election. Certified results were Val Applewhite (D) 55,697 votes, Semone Pemberton (R) 30,005 and Swinton 2,884 - 3.3 percent of the 88,586 votes cast [7].\n\n## Sources\n\n[1] [2026 Candidate Listing](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/Elections/2026/Candidate%20Filing/Candidate_Listing_2026.csv) - North Carolina State Board of Elections, accessed 2026-07-30\n[2] [MemberData.xml, current U.S. House membership](https://clerk.house.gov/xml/lists/MemberData.xml) - Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives, accessed 2026-07-30\n[3] [Filing: A list of Lee County candidates for the 2026 elections](https://rantnc.com/2025/12/22/filing-a-list-of-lee-county-candidates-for-the-2026-elections/) - The Rant, accessed 2026-07-30\n[4] [Candidate master file, 2025-2026 cycle (cn26)](https://www.fec.gov/files/bulk-downloads/2026/cn26.zip) - Federal Election Commission, accessed 2026-07-30\n[5] [Election 2026: Democrats robust in funding for two most pivotal races](https://blackchronicle.com/southeast/north-carolina/election-2026-democrats-robust-in-funding-for-two-most-pivotal-races/) - The Black Chronicle, accessed 2026-07-30\n[6] [Steven Swinton Pledges to Support Congressional Term Limits](https://termlimits.com/steve-swinton-pledges-to-support-congressional-term-limits/) - U.S. Term Limits, accessed 2026-07-30\n[7] [Certified precinct results, November 5, 2024 general election](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2024_11_05/results_pct_20241105.zip) - North Carolina State Board of Elections, accessed 2026-07-30","firstname":"Steven","lastname":"Swinton","middlename":"Zshon Michael","suffix":null,"token":"471ad35bc974add1"},"token":"KHyJJRqtsF"},{"candidatename":"Paul Barringer","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"DEM","person":{"biography":"Paul Barringer is the Democratic nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives in North Carolina\u2019s 13th Congressional District in the 2026 election. The role involves drafting federal legislation, overseeing the federal budget, and representing the interests of the district\u2019s roughly 800,000 residents in Washington, D.C.\n\nBarringer grew up on his family\u2019s tree\u2011farm in Lee County, a property that has been in his family since the 1800s. He earned a high\u2011school diploma from Episcopal High School, a bachelor\u2019s degree in American Studies from Davidson College, a J.D. from the University of North Carolina, and a master\u2019s in public affairs from Princeton University. [1][20]\n\nProfessionally, Barringer has spent more than two decades at the intersection of health care, law, and public policy. He has worked as a health\u2011care consultant for Enterprise Support Partners, served as a lawyer representing individuals with disabilities in Social Security matters, and managed his family\u2019s timber operation. [11][20] He also founded a Made\u2011in\u2011America clothing brand, Mill & Mountain, and has experience as an entrepreneur and executive in the health\u2011care sector. [1][11]\n\nIn May 2025 Barringer officially filed to run for the open U.S. House seat held by Republican incumbent Brad Knott. [12] He campaigned on \u201ccommon\u2011sense and constitutional values,\u201d emphasizing fiscal responsibility, local control, health\u2011care reform, and support for farmers affected by tariffs. [12][19][20] He completed Ballotpedia\u2019s Candidate Connection survey, where he described himself as an attorney, health\u2011care consultant, farmer, Eagle Scout, Sunday\u2011school teacher, and endurance athlete. [1][11]\n\nBarringer won the Democratic primary on March 3, 2026 with 59.1% of the vote (29,743 votes), defeating Frank Pierce (29.4%, 14,794 votes) and Alexander Nicholi (11.5%, 5,800 votes), per Ballotpedia's certified results. [2][16] The general\u2011election ballot lists him alongside incumbent Republican Brad Knott, Green Party candidate Anthony Aguilar, and Libertarian Steven Swinton. [1][3]\n\nFinancial disclosures filed with the Federal Election Commission show that Barringer\u2019s principal campaign committee, \u201cPAUL BARRINGER FOR CONGRESS,\u201d raised $805,553 in total receipts, including $485,303 in contributions and a $320,000 personal loan, and ended the reporting period with $426,593 cash on hand. [4][5] A local news story reported that his campaign had raised more than $410,000 since launch, making it one of the strongest fundraising efforts for a North Carolina congressional challenger. [12]\n\nBarringer\u2019s platform, as outlined on his campaign website, calls for protecting constitutional rights, investing in domestic industry, supporting maternal health and family\u2011planning services, maintaining law\u2011abiding citizens\u2019 right to own firearms, and promoting science\u2011based stewardship of public lands. [20][10] He stresses a \u201cbottom\u2011up\u201d approach, promising to walk the district\u2019s 180\u2011mile listening tour route on a bike to hear directly from voters. [12]\n\nIf elected, Barringer would bring his blend of health\u2011policy expertise, legal experience, and agricultural background to the House, aiming to improve Medicaid accountability, reduce health\u2011care waste, and advocate for policies that benefit both rural and suburban constituents of the 13th District.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Paul Barringer - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Paul_Barringer)\n- [2] [North Carolina's 13th Congressional District election, 2026 (March 3 Democratic primary) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/North_Carolina's_13th_Congressional_District_election,_2026_(March_3_Democratic_primary))\n- [3] [North Carolina's 13th Congressional District election, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/North_Carolina's_13th_Congressional_District_election,_2026)\n- [4] [BARRINGER, PAUL - Candidate overview - FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H6NC13228/)\n- [5] [PAUL BARRINGER FOR CONGRESS - committee overview - FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00906057/)\n- [10] [Paul Barringer Democrat for Congress | Common Sense & NC Values](https://paulbarringer.com)\n- [11] [Meet Paul Barringer - Paul Barringer Democrat for Congress](https://paulbarringer.com/about)\n- [12] [CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE PAUL BARRINGER OFFICIALLY FILES FOR CONGRESS IN NORTH CAROLINA\u2019S 13TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT | News | caswellmessenger.com](https://www.caswellmessenger.com/news/article_9a0431e5-a912-4e88-a165-f758770fe157.html)\n- [16] [Paul Barringer wins Democratic nomination for U.S. House in North Carolina's 13th Congressional District | AP News](https://apnews.com/1004639ae8d94102b890b58f69bfb010)\n- [19] [Barringer To Run For US Congressional Seat \u2013 JoCo Report](https://jocoreport.com/barringer-to-run-for-us-congressional-seat/)\n- [20] [Paul Barringer platform & website | North Carolina U.S. Representative, District 13](https://branch.vote/races/2026-north-carolina-general-election-nc-state-us-representative-nc-congressional-13/candidates/paul-barringer)\n","firstname":"Paul","lastname":"Barringer","middlename":"Jehu","suffix":"III","token":"804f2f5a29208f9a"},"token":"NDWlbABAQQ"},{"candidatename":"Brad Knott","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"REP","person":{"biography":"John Bradford \"Brad\" Knott is the Republican member of the United States House of Representatives for North Carolina\u2019s 13th congressional district, having been sworn in on January 3, 2025 after winning the 2024 election. As a U.S. Representative, Knott is responsible for introducing and voting on federal legislation, providing oversight of the executive branch, and serving the interests of constituents through casework and advocacy, as well as participating in committee work that shapes policy in specific areas of government [11].\n\nBorn on April 17, 1986, in Raleigh, North Carolina, Knott grew up in a family with a strong public\u2011service tradition; his father was an assistant U.S. attorney and his grandfather served on the Wake County Board of Commissioners. He attended St.\u202fDavid\u2019s School, earned a Bachelor of Arts from Baylor University, and received his Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University School of Law [11].\n\nKnott began his professional career as a federal prosecutor in the United States Attorney\u2019s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina in 2016, a position he held until November 2023. In that role he prosecuted federal crimes and gained experience in the federal justice system, which he later cited as preparation for legislative work [11].\n\nIn 2024 Knott entered the race for the open NC\u201113 House seat. After a primary runoff against Kelly Daughtry, he secured the Republican nomination and won the general election in November 2024, becoming the district\u2019s representative in the 119th Congress [11]. During his campaign he received endorsements from former President Donald Trump and the advocacy group Americans for Prosperity, and his brother Thomas contributed significant funds to a supporting super\u2011PAC [11].\n\nIn Congress, Knott serves on the Committee on Homeland Security, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, where he participates in shaping legislation on national security, legal matters, and infrastructure projects [11]. His publicly stated positions include strong support for the Second Amendment and gun\u2011rights protections, backing Israel in the Gaza conflict while opposing additional aid to Ukraine, advocating for reduced federal employment and spending, and opposing sanctuary policies in favor of stricter immigration enforcement [11].\n\nKnott is married to Joanna Saleeby, with whom he has two children, and continues to reside in Raleigh, where he maintains ties to his family\u2019s legal and political legacy [11].\n\n## Sources\n- [11] [Brad Knott - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brad_Knott)","firstname":"John","lastname":"Knott","middlename":"Bradford","suffix":null,"token":"a7a1e5ad0587a271"},"token":"1XwsAYqvWv"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":"us_representative","o.office":"us_house","office":"us_house","officedescription":"A United States Representative represents a single congressional district in the lower chamber of Congress, serving a two-year term. Representatives write and pass federal law, originate revenue bills, fund and oversee the executive branch, and serve constituents in dealings with federal agencies.","officequalities":"- Legislative craft at the federal level: reading, drafting, and amending federal statute, and knowing the law being changed.\n- Understanding of the district's economic and everyday concerns, and constituent-service capacity for casework with federal agencies.\n- Persuasion and coalition-building across party and factional lines to form working majorities.\n- Integrity: acting for constituents and the public good rather than personal gain, independent of undue influence.\n- Oversight judgment: the House funds and oversees the executive branch and the military.","officeterm":2,"officetitle":"U.S. Representative","partisan":1,"pgr":"general","quantity":1,"referendum":null,"source":null,"title":"Us House Of Representatives District 13"}