North Carolina Speaker Tim Moore to run for Congress

RALEIGH, N.C. (CN) — North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore looks posed to run for U.S. Congress in 2024.

Moore, a Republican from Cleveland County, has served 11 two-year terms in the North Carolina House and has been the speaker since 2015. He is the longest-serving speaker in state history.

Moore had confirmed this year that he didn’t plan to run for speaker again after his term ends in 2024, and that his GOP colleagues had been aware of this since spring 2022.

In October, North Carolina Republicans passed redistricting maps that cost Democrats seats and guaranteed GOP control over the Legislature, in what was described as an “extreme partisan gerrymander.”

Moore plans to run in what was formerly Representative Jeff Jackson’s 14th District, which was redrawn during the redistricting. Jackson announcedin late October that he would be running for North Carolina attorney general “to fight political corruption” after he was drawn out of his district.

Republican Pat Harrigan, who lost the seat to Jackson after the congressional lines were redrawn, is also running in the 14th District.

“Such a man does not represent NC14’s values, nor does he deserve its trust,” Harrigan said of Moore on X, formerly Twitter.

“NC14 demands leaders forged in adversity, capable of making tough decisions that put our economy back on track and are unafraid to stand against the establishment for the betterment of our state and nation. What they do not need is another go-along-to-get-along Republican who prioritizes political survival over principled action and the hard fought interests of North Carolinians.”

News maps essentially cement that Jackson’s seat will be filled by a Republican, ensuring GOP dominance in a purple state. This year, the Republican majority in the North Carolina House and Senate have acted together to override the Democratic Governor Roy Cooper 19 times, rapidly passing legislation that he vetoed into law.

Moore’s announcement comes amid turmoil in the U.S. House, with troubles electing a new House speaker and the looming government shutdown if a spending package isn’t passed by Nov. 18. Political division is high as representatives watch party leaders closely.

The narrow margin in the U.S. House and the GOP’s redistricting in North Carolina grants Republicans an additional three to four seats in Congress, which may be offset by redistricting in New York.

During Moore’s time as speaker — and along with Republican Senate leader Phil Berger — the North Carolina General Assembly has established veto-proof margins and pushed conservative social and economic policies, introducing concerns over politically gridlocking the election board. The Republican majority has also passed laws about gun permits and public education, and has restricted Cooper’s appointment ability, which has recently been challengedin court.

Candidate filing begins in North Carolina in December, and primaries will be in March. The general election will be held in November 2024.

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