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Durham County Vice Chair Nida Allam is launching her campaign for the Democratic primary in North Carolina’s 4th Congressional District.
She will challenge incumbent Democratic Rep. Valerie Foushee, who is seeking a third term. She has represented the district since 2023.
“I’m running for Congress because in a moment when our community faces dueling crises of Republican authoritarianism and corporate billionaire greed, we need leaders in Washington who will actually fight to deliver the brighter future we deserve and desperately need,” Allam said in a statement announcing her candidacy. “We cannot wait three more years pretending that a status quo that is failing us today will protect our communities tomorrow.”
Allam’s candidacy sets up a rematch between the two Democrats.
In 2022, Foushee beat Allam by 9 percentage points in the Democratic primary for the right to succeed retiring Democratic U.S. Rep. David Price.
Since then, Republicans who control the state legislature have redrawn the state’s congressional districts twice, to tilt more races in favor of their party. But the 4th District remains heavily Democratic.
For the 2026 election, the 4th District will include the Democratic strongholds of Durham, Carrboro and Hillsborough. Foushee won re-election in 2024 with roughly 72% of the vote, trouncing her Republican opponent.
The district’s Democratic primary in 2022 included former American Idol contestant Clay Aiken, drawing national attention. The race showed the divide between progressive and centrist Democrats, a division that will be on display again.
On Thursday, Allam announced endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders and organizations including Justice Democrats and Leaders We Deserve, which was co-founded by David Hogg.
In a statement to Spectrum News 1 Rep. Foushee said, “You can look at my record to show that I am not just paying lip service to our shared progressive values but instead working to advance legislation like the ICE Badge Visibility Act, the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act, and the Block the Bombs Act…. Over the next few months I look forward to earning the support of the voters of the Fourth District and continuing to serve as their voice in Washington for another term.”
Foushee said she has received endorsements from Gov. Josh Stein and Democrats including Reps. Alma Adams and Deborah Ross.
Allam, 31, has served on the Durham Board of County Commissioners since December 2020. She grew up in Wake County and was the first Muslim elected to public office in North Carolina.
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Reuben Jones
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