Federal

U.S. Representative, 13th Congressional District

Vote for: 1
Term: 2 years
Candidates: 3
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A member of the U.S. House of Representatives votes on federal laws, taxes and spending on behalf of the district.

Candidates Compare by issue

Paul Barringer

Democratic

Health care consultant; attorney; tree farmer

The gist

Supports spending restraint and working toward a balanced budget
Opposes broad tariffs as a tax on consumers
Supports border enforcement and a modernized legal immigration system
Supports continued Medicare and Medicaid funding
Opposes selling or privatizing federal public lands
Opposes laws impeding women's health care choices with doctors
Supports full VA funding and protecting PACT Act benefits

More about Paul

View sources (1)

Supports spending restraint and working toward a balanced budget
Priorities — Paul Barringer for Congress
Campaign website · Paul Barringer for Congress · paulbarringer.com
“we need to get serious about spending restraint and work toward a balanced budget”
Opposes broad tariffs as a tax on consumers
Priorities — Paul Barringer for Congress
Campaign website · Paul Barringer for Congress · paulbarringer.com
“broad tariffs function like a tax on consumers, especially hurting farmers, small manufacturers, and rural communities”
Supports border enforcement and a modernized legal immigration system
Priorities — Paul Barringer for Congress
Campaign website · Paul Barringer for Congress · paulbarringer.com
“I believe in a secure border and a fair, legal immigration system.”
Supports continued Medicare and Medicaid funding
Priorities — Paul Barringer for Congress
Campaign website · Paul Barringer for Congress · paulbarringer.com
“It's our responsibility to continue supporting these vital programs to ensure these individuals can get the care they need.”
Opposes selling or privatizing federal public lands
Priorities — Paul Barringer for Congress
Campaign website · Paul Barringer for Congress · paulbarringer.com
“That means preventing the sale or privatization of federal lands, supporting science-based stewardship”
Opposes laws impeding women's health care choices with doctors
Priorities — Paul Barringer for Congress
Campaign website · Paul Barringer for Congress · paulbarringer.com
“the law should not be an impediment to a woman making the health care choices she needs to make with her doctor”
Supports full VA funding and protecting PACT Act benefits
Priorities — Paul Barringer for Congress
Campaign website · Paul Barringer for Congress · paulbarringer.com
“I support fully funding the VA while streamlining bureaucracy … I'm fully committed to protecting the expanded benefits granted to veterans with the passage of the PACT Act.”

Steven Swinton

Libertarian

The gist

Pledges legislation to prosecute politically motivated violence
Supports impeaching federal judges and prosecutors for dereliction
Pledges legislation to end judicial activism
Supports Congress reclaiming its war powers from the executive

More about Steven

View sources (1)

Pledges legislation to prosecute politically motivated violence
Swinton for NC (campaign Facebook page)
Candidate social media · Swinton for NC · facebook.com
“I will work to advance legislation that ensures acts of politically motivated violence are thoroughly investigated, prosecuted, and punished”
Supports impeaching federal judges and prosecutors for dereliction
Swinton for NC (campaign Facebook page)
Candidate social media · Swinton for NC · facebook.com
“If elected i will fight to impeachment federal judges and federal prosecutors”
Pledges legislation to end judicial activism
Swinton for NC (campaign Facebook page)
Candidate social media · Swinton for NC · facebook.com
“If elected i will work to pass legislation that helps end judicial activism”
Supports Congress reclaiming its war powers from the executive
Swinton for NC (campaign Facebook page)
Candidate social media · Swinton for NC · facebook.com
“Congress must reclaim its constitutional authority over war powers.”

Brad Knott

RepublicanIncumbent

U.S. Representative; former federal prosecutor

The gist

Supports a balanced budget amendment
Co-led a House-passed bill for a Harnett County veterans homeIn office
Co-introduced a bill protecting worship services from disruptionIn office
Introduced a bill letting people challenge agencies before juriesIn office
Voted for the reconciliation bill restoring ICE and CBP fundingIn office
Supported House passage of the 2026 Farm BillIn office
Introduced a bill targeting freight fraud and cargo theftIn office

In office = from the candidate's own official statements or legislation as an officeholder, not their campaign.

More about Brad

View sources (7)

Supports a balanced budget amendment
Brad Knott for Congress
Campaign website · Brad Knott for Congress · bradknott.com
“I support a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.”
Co-led a House-passed bill for a Harnett County veterans home
Knott, Hudson Bill to Advance a New Veterans' Home in Harnett County Passes the House
Public statement · Office of Rep. Brad Knott · Sep 14, 2026 · knott.house.gov
“I am proud to work with Congressman Hudson on this bill to advance a new veterans' home in Harnett County”
Co-introduced a bill protecting worship services from disruption
Knott, Suozzi Introduce the Right to Worship Act to Stop Harassment at Houses of Worship
Public statement · Office of Rep. Brad Knott · Aug 7, 2026 · knott.house.gov
“No American should ever feel that their choice is between worshiping in fear and not worshiping at all”
Introduced a bill letting people challenge agencies before juries
Knott Introduces Bill to Rein in Federal Bureaucracy and Expand Citizens' Rights to Challenge Agencies in Court
Public statement · Office of Rep. Brad Knott · Jul 14, 2026 · knott.house.gov
“ensuring they can adequately defend themselves before a judge and a jury of their peers, rather than a nameless bureaucrat”
Voted for the reconciliation bill restoring ICE and CBP funding
Knott Votes to Restore ICE and CBP Funding After 100 Days of Democrat Obstruction
Public statement · Office of Rep. Brad Knott · Jun 9, 2026 · knott.house.gov
“With this funding, we will continue securing the homeland, enforcing immigration laws”
Supported House passage of the 2026 Farm Bill
Knott Applauds Passage of Bipartisan Farm Bill
Public statement · Office of Rep. Brad Knott · Apr 30, 2026 · knott.house.gov
“the passage of a comprehensive Farm Bill is essential to ensuring America's producers have the tools they need”
Introduced a bill targeting freight fraud and cargo theft
Knott Introduces Legislation to Protect U.S. Roads and Supply Chains
Public statement · Office of Rep. Brad Knott · Apr 20, 2026 · knott.house.gov
“a comprehensive measure designed to close loopholes exploited by bad actors in the nation's freight and transportation systems”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 8 issues covered in this race.