RALEIGH – 24 year-old Madison Cawthorn of Hendersonville defeated real estate businessowner Lynda Bennett of Maggie Valley in the primary runoff for the Republican nomination in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional district. Cawthorn led Bennett by a 65% to 35% margin with just a few precincts remaining in the 17-county district.
Bennett had the backing of President Donald Trump, former Rep. and current White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, and outside help from the House Conservatives Fund but Cawthorn’s life story and campaign resonated with voters in the district. Cawthorn led Bennett in 16 of the 17 counties as election night results came in.
“The North Carolina Republican Party congratulates Madison Cawthorn on winning the Second Republican Primary in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District” said North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley. “Mr. Cawthorn ran a fantastic campaign during the primary and the runoff, and we are completely confident that next January, he will be sworn in to represent the 11th District in the House of Representatives. He will be a great fighter for Smoky Mountain families and always put America first.”
Cawthorn will face Democrat Moe Davis in the general election in November.
