Progressive Candidate Running as Republican in North Carolina Congressional Race Sparks Controversy

A North Carolina congressional candidate has ignited controversy after openly admitting she is a “progressive” despite running in the Republican primary. Katie Barr, who is challenging incumbent Rep. Tim Moore in North Carolina’s 14th Congressional District, acknowledged her unusual political strategy during an appearance on the podcast “The Hometown Holler.”

When directly asked if she was attempting to deceive voters, Barr defended her approach. “If you go on the campaign website, above the fold as they call it, is like, ‘I’m not a real Republican.’ Like, I am telling people the truth,” she explained. “I knock on a door and say, ‘I am running in the Republican primary, but I am not a Republican, I am a progressive.'”

Barr filed paperwork on November 6 to challenge Rep. Moore, who currently represents the district. On her website, she explicitly states that her decision to run as a Republican is strategic, describing it as “the only way to kick these corrupt cowards out of office.”

The candidate claims Republicans have “rigged the maps” to ensure their victory in general elections, making the primary contest the only meaningful competition. “The general election has already been decided. So – the primary is the only competition for this job,” her website explains.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Barr doubled down on her position, saying she has been “honest” about her identity and governance plans “from the start.” She criticized Rep. Moore, claiming, “He’s getting rich off of his position while voters struggle. And Tim rigged this district to make sure he’d stay in office despite it all. That’s wrong. I’m running so voters have a real choice.”

The unusual candidacy comes amid ongoing debates about partisan redistricting in North Carolina, a state with a history of legal challenges to its congressional maps. Critics argue that gerrymandering has created safe districts for incumbents, limiting voter choice and competitive elections.

Barr’s strategy has drawn criticism online, with many accusing her of deception and calling the move shameful. However, not everyone views her approach as problematic. Second Amendment activist Cam Edwards commented on social media: “I hate to burst the outrage bubble, but she’s not making a big secret out of this. It’s her whole schtick, and it’s front and center on her campaign website.”

The situation highlights the complex interplay between party affiliation and political strategy in highly partisan districts. While uncommon, candidates occasionally cross party lines in primaries when they believe the opposing party has created an uncompetitive general election environment through redistricting.

Political analysts note this practice raises questions about voter representation and the integrity of the primary system. While some argue that Barr’s transparency mitigates concerns about voter deception, others believe running in a party primary while openly opposing its values undermines the democratic process.

North Carolina’s 14th Congressional District, which includes parts of the western portion of the state, has been reliably Republican in recent elections. The primary, scheduled for March 2025, will determine whether voters accept Barr’s unusual candidacy or stick with the incumbent Rep. Moore.

The race underscores broader tensions in American politics about district competitiveness, partisan identification, and the lengths to which candidates will go to challenge entrenched incumbents in districts designed to favor one party.