On Tuesday, Tim Moore, the Speaker of North Carolina’s House, officially declared his candidacy for Congress in the 14th Congressional district, encompassing portions of the southwestern corner of North Carolina.
Hailing from Cleveland County, Moore, a Republican, is currently serving his fifth two-year term as the Speaker, making it a record-breaking tenure. He had previously announced his decision not to seek re-election to his state House seat in 2024 and expressed his intent to explore a congressional bid in Washington.
A recently redrawn map of North Carolina’s congressional districts, implemented last week by the GOP-controlled General Assembly, established the new 14th District, which leans Republican. This district covers all or parts of six counties, spanning from sections of Charlotte to the westward foothills, including Moore’s hometown of Kings Mountain.
The general election is scheduled for November 2024, but candidate registration for the March 5 primary will commence next month.
Notably, Democratic U.S. Rep. Jeff Jackson, the incumbent representing the current 14th District, found himself redrawn into a distinct and predominantly GOP district by lawmakers. Last week, he declared his candidacy for the position of state attorney general in the upcoming year instead.
Pat Harrigan, a Republican whom Jackson defeated in the 2022 general election, has officially stated his intention to run once more in the reshaped 14th District.
With the newly established congressional map, it seems that the GOP is poised to have a significant advantage, potentially securing a minimum of 10 out of the 14 seats in the state’s delegation. In the previous map designed by state judges for the 2022 elections, both Democrats and Republicans claimed an equal seven seats each.
Throughout this year, Moore has displayed a keen interest in both national and international matters. He ventured to Ukraine a few months ago and made a recent visit to the U.S.-Mexico border. Additionally, he has hosted public events in counties encompassing the newly configured 14th District.
A 53-year-old attorney, Moore was initially elected to the state House in 2002. His ascent within the party ranks saw him assume the role of House Rules Committee chairman in 2011, coinciding with the Republicans’ takeover of the chamber. He subsequently followed in the footsteps of now-U.S. Senator Thom Tillis, taking on the role of speaker in 2015.
Moore has affirmed his commitment to serve the remainder of his term through the end of the following year and remain in the position of speaker during the upcoming budget-adjustment work session set to commence in April.