Rouzer holds off Barfield, Casteen to win seat in Congress

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Two years ago David Rouzer missed out on a seat in Congress by just a few hundred votes. This time, with the incumbent heading in retirement, the former state senator from Johnston County won easily over two other candidates for North Carolina’s 7th District seat in the US House.

Despite only 50 of 213 precincts reporting, the Associated Press projected Rouzer, a Republican, as the winner at about 9 p.m. He beats out New Hanover County Commissioner Jonathan Barfield, a Democrat, and attorney J. Wesley Casteen, a Libertarian.

Democrat Johnathan Barfield spent the evening keeping up with election coverage surrounded by close friends in family in his home.

Barfield remained hopeful even after the AP called the race saying, “We’re gonna wait till the bitter end to make sure we know all the numbers then celebrate victory,” Barfield said.

Rouzer replaces Rep. Mike McIntyre, a Lumberton Democrat, who has held the seat since 1996.

Rouzer becomes the first Republican to hold the seat since 1871.