Rouzer, Barfield head for fall showdown for 7th District seat in Congress

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Five candidates entered last night vying for their party’s nomination to replace Rep. Mike McIntyre in the US House of Representatives. Two of those men are moving forward; one for a second time.

Former state senator David Rouzer, who narrowly lost to McIntyre two years ago, won the 7th District Republican race with 53 percent of the vote. Woody White finished second with 40 percent of the vote, while Chris Andrade was third with 7 percent.

“It feels good,” Rouzer said shortly after getting a concession call from White. “You know, this has been a long, tough slog for about a year and a half now, and it’s a great feeling. It really is.”

Meanwhile White said he was disappointed with the results but happy to get back to his family and his job as a New Hanover County Commissioner.

“I’ve got a great life,” White said. “I don’t need to be a congressman. I was doing it and trying to make the effort to make a real difference in America, but I live in the greatest community in the world, and we are thrilled to get back to work.”

Rouzer will take on another New Hanover County Commissioner, Jonathan Barfield, in November. Barfield won the the Democratic nomination with 58 percent of the vote beating out Princeton Town Commissioner Walter Martin.