North Carolina Rep. Madison Cawthorn files to run in far-Western district of state

Republican Representative Madison Cawthorn filed paperwork this week to run for reelection in a newly-drawn far-Western district of North Carolina that leans heavily right.

Cawthorn, who has represented North Carolina in the House since 2020, has emerged as a controversial political figure. He delivered an address to the crowd at the January 6th protest last year. Some lawmakers have said this should disqualify him from running for re-election.

In a news release, Cawthorn announced, “Western North Carolinians want a fighter in Congress. With their support, I look forward to returning to Washington as a sophomore member and helping enact major change with a historic Republican majority.” 

Cawthorn’s candidacy comes after the state Supreme Court struck down previously-drawn districting maps, declaring them unconstitutional, and the new map includes the district Cawthorn has filed in, which also contains most of three counties he already represents.