{"id":3836,"date":"2020-09-07T17:17:42","date_gmt":"2020-09-07T17:17:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/9thstreetjournal.org\/?p=3836"},"modified":"2023-03-27T15:52:56","modified_gmt":"2023-03-27T15:52:56","slug":"new-map-and-new-challenger-bring-energy-to-fayetteville-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/9thstreetjournal.org\/2020\/09\/07\/new-map-and-new-challenger-bring-energy-to-fayetteville-race\/","title":{"rendered":"New map and new challenger bring energy to Fayetteville race"},"content":{"rendered":"
For the first time in years, political experts say North Carolina\u2019s 8th Congressional District is not a safe Republican seat.<\/span><\/p>\n Last year, after <\/span>throwing out gerrymandered district maps<\/span><\/a> that favored Republicans, three North Carolina judges forced the Republican-controlled state legislature to draw more competitive maps. That changed the dynamic in the 2nd and 6th Districts, which <\/span>Sabato\u2019s Crystal Ball<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>The Cook Report<\/span><\/a> rate as sure flips for Democrats.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The 8th might be in play, too. Rep. Richard Hudson, the Republican incumbent, may boast more money in the bank, but Democrat Pat Timmons-Goodson outraised him 3-1 in the most recent fundraising quarter ending June 30.<\/span><\/p>\n Sabato and Cook moved the 8th into the \u201clean Republican\u201d column \u2013\u2013 rather than the usual\u00a0 \u201csolid\u201d or \u201clikely Republican.\u201d But they and other analysts are still skeptical that redistricting and a strong challenger will be enough to flip a district held by an eight-year incumbent.<\/span><\/p>\n New district, new challenger<\/b><\/p>\n The new 8th District stretches from Charlotte\u2019s eastern suburbs across seven mostly rural counties to Fayetteville.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Cumberland County, home to Fayetteville and Fort Bragg, historically votes Democratic, and the new maps move the once-split county entirely inside the 8th District. But the six other counties largely voted Republican in 2016 and 2018.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Timmons-Goodson, the Democratic candidate, calls Cumberland County home. Born in South Carolina, she moved with her family to Fort Bragg when she was in elementary school. Her father served in the Army for 18 years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n