2026 General Election: November 3, 2026. New info launches early October.
Laurie Buckhout
Party:
Republican
Incumbent:
No
Age:
Approximately 65
Previous experience in elected office:
None; ran unsuccessfully for the same office in 2024
Occupation:
Self-employed consultant, "cyber and electronic warfare advisor"
Description:
The top issues that Buckhout lists on her website are "turning our economy around," border security and protecting farmers, fishermen and the Second Amendment. She is from the D.C. area and moved to eastern North Carolina a few years ago after selling her consulting company, which specialized in “electronic warfare and cyberspace operations,” for nearly $9 million. She has self-financed much of her campaign to date.
Other personal:
Buckhout is a retired Army Colonel, combat commander and expert in electronic warfare. She lives in Edenton (on the eastern shore of North Carolina) with her husband of 30 years, a fellow Army veteran. She has also served in the Trump administration as the Acting Assistant of War for Cyber Policy. Buckhout originally said she would not run again in 2026, as she had faced health issues, but then changed her decision after the district was redrawn. She and her husband have two sons. She holds a bachelor's from James Madison University and a master's from Webster University.