Rep. Don Davis (D.), who represents North Carolina's only swing district, revealed that extending President Donald Trump's 2017 tax cuts was one of his constituents' top priorities last year. He voted against legislation supporting them.
In his Dec. 31 "Year in Review" newsletter, Davis listed the "Top 10 Constituent Concerns Shared With Us," which included "Oppos[ing] DOGE cuts" and "Environmental protection." Rounding out the 10th spot was "Extending the Trump Tax Cuts and Jobs Act," Trump's signature economic overhaul, which was signed into law in 2017 and lowered rates for individuals and businesses. An extension of those tax cuts was included in the One Big Beautiful Bill that became law in July. Davis called the legislation "fiscally irresponsible" as he voted against it.
"It increases the federal deficit, neglects the delivery of additional essential disaster assistance for NC, and shifts costs onto states. The bill could devastate eastern North Carolinians, including potential loss of lifesaving healthcare coverage and overlooks the needs of families, children, and dependents of veterans," Davis posted in May.
That sort of disconnect could suggest trouble for Davis as the 2026 midterms get into full swing. He won reelection in 2024 by less than 2 percentage points, making him one of the most vulnerable Democrats in the House. He is also 1 of just 13 Democrats representing a district carried by Trump, who defeated former vice president Kamala Harris in North Carolina's First Congressional District by nearly 5 percentage points. And redistricting last year shaved off a liberal flank in the west known as the "Black Belt," making reelection harder for Davis, according to NC Newsline.
Last month, Davis also celebrated a $213 million award from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) aimed at expanding health care access in rural communities. He noted that he and the rest of the North Carolina congressional delegation lobbied CMS administrator Mehmet Oz for the money.
Davis's Dec. 29 announcement, however, didn't mention that the funding stemmed from a program created under the One Big Beautiful Bill that he opposed.
Davis's office did not return a request for comment.
