Voters in North Carolina's 4th congressional district are choosing between incumbent Rep. Valerie Foushee and challenger Nida Allam in a March 3 primary. The race highlights tensions within the Democratic Party over progressive policies amid Donald Trump's second term. Allam, backed by Bernie Sanders, pushes for bolder stances on immigration and Gaza, while Foushee emphasizes her experience and legislative record.
In the Raleigh-Durham area, a safe Democratic seat, the primary contest between Rep. Valerie Foushee, seeking a third term, and Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam reflects broader debates among Democrats following Trump's 2024 election victory.
Allam, North Carolina's first Muslim woman elected official, advocates for abolishing ICE and stronger opposition to Israel's war in Gaza. She has criticized Foushee for past support of Israel, including trips funded by AIPAC, though Foushee has declined such contributions this cycle and co-sponsored the Block the Bombs Act last August to restrict U.S. weapons sales to Israel.
On immigration, Allam protested ICE actions in North Carolina last November, while Foushee has backed legislation to defund and reform the agency, calling its practices a profound abuse of power.
The race also touches on AI data centers, with Allam calling for a national moratorium and Foushee favoring local decision-making. She co-chairs a House Democrats committee on AI.
Outside groups are heavily involved. Pro-Allam spending includes over $500,000 from American Priorities, focused on reducing military aid to Israel, and $270,000 from Leaders We Deserve, led by David Hogg. Foushee receives support from an Anthropic-linked group with more than $1 million, plus endorsements from Gov. Josh Stein, former Gov. Roy Cooper, and other state Democrats.
Bernie Sanders rallied for Allam in Durham, saying, "Nida is a proven fighter with the courage to take on corporate power, to take on billionaires, to take on billionaire-funded Super PACs like crypto and AIPAC and all of these special interest groups who think they can buy American democracy."
Voters express mixed views. Kyle Barber said Allam's campaign has energized him: "It's been so long since I've been this excited to vote... I am so tired of voting for the lesser of two evils." Melissa McCullough prefers Foushee: "Valerie Foushee has credibility amongst her peers, good committee assignments … and she brings home federal dollars. Now is not the time to send in someone who has to start from scratch."
The district leans heavily Democratic, so the primary winner is expected to prevail in November. This race echoes a recent New Jersey special election upset by Sanders-aligned Analilia Mejia over Tom Malinowski.
