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13th Congressional District · 2026 U.S. House · Unofficial result

U.S. House, 13th District: what did each candidate actually say they'd do?

IN PLAIN ENGLISH

Rep. Brad Knott (R) ran for re-election against Democrat Paul Barringer and Libertarian Steven Swinton. With all precincts reporting, Barringer leads by 7,652 votes. Results are unofficial until certified. Check your own address on the NC State Board of Elections' voter lookup to confirm your district.

Barringer leadsAll precincts reporting; unofficial until certified1
50.50%Barringer (D)1
48.09%Knott (R)1
1.41%Swinton (Libertarian)1
7,652Vote margin of 316,789 cast1

Do they have a plan?

We read every issue on each candidate's own website and checked the same six things for every one. We count what's there. We don't grade whether the ideas are good. Read the full scoring rules

Of the issues on their website, how many...Paul BarringerBrad KnottSteven Swinton
Names a policy3 of 12
4 of 7
No website found
Says how they'd do it0 of 12
1 of 7
No website found
Includes a number or target0 of 12
1 of 7
No website found
Says how it's paid for0 of 12
0 of 7
No website found
Gives a timeline0 of 12
0 of 7
No website found
Points to a record0 of 12
0 of 7
No website found

The candidates, side by side

Each topic shows every candidate's own words on it, in alphabetical order, from their own website. "Nothing on this topic" means their site doesn't cover it. Topic rows are grouped by us from their headings; the scores don't change.

Paul BarringerDemocrat
Brad KnottRepublican
Steven SwintonLibertarian
Who they are
Paul Barringer
Lawyer and healthcare consultant, by his own account.3 His Priorities page lists twelve planks; each was scored.
Brad Knott
U.S. Representative for the 13th District running for re-election, by his own account.6 Former federal prosecutor.6
Steven Swinton
No campaign website found as of 11/5/2026. We searched the web and the national and state Libertarian Party candidate pages, which link only to social media.
Abortion
Paul Barringer
Reproductive Health & Freedom"expanding family planning and access to contraception, enhancing adoption and foster care systems" and "the law should not be an impediment to a woman making the health care choices she needs to make with her doctor."2
None of the six checks
Brad Knott
Protecting the Unborn"I support state laws protecting the unborn. Faith-based crisis pregnancy centers, which provide help to women and promote alternatives to abortion, are under attack and I will fight to protect them."5
Names a policy
Steven Swinton
No campaign website found
Guns
Paul Barringer
Second Amendment Rights"We need to enforce the laws already on the books" and "find common-sense solutions that reduce gun violence, keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals"2
None of the six checks
Brad Knott
Defending Gun Rights"We need to enforce the gun laws we have, not pass new ones that target the law-abiding rather than criminals."5
None of the six checks
Steven Swinton
No campaign website found
Immigration and the border
Paul Barringer
Fair, Secure Immigration"I believe in a secure border and a fair, legal immigration system." Also: "Border security is a basic function of government, and we need smart, effective enforcement to stop illegal crossings, drug trafficking, and exploitation."2
None of the six checks
Brad Knott
Securing the Border"We must secure the border, finish the wall, and enforce the law." And: "An illegal immigrant who commits a felony should be sent to prison for a minimum of five years and then deported."5
Names a policySays how they'd do itIncludes a number or target
Steven Swinton
No campaign website found
Veterans
Paul Barringer
Veterans Support"I support fully funding the VA while streamlining bureaucracy to ensure timely access to quality health care, mental health services, and job training." Also: "I'm fully committed to protecting the expanded benefits granted to veterans with the passage of the PACT Act."2
Names a policy
Brad Knott
Nothing on this topic
Steven Swinton
No campaign website found
Health care
Paul Barringer
Affordable Healthcare"The reason we have programs like Medicare and Medicaid in the first place is because the market fails to cover the needs of seniors, low-income families, and those with disabilities." Also: "It's our responsibility to continue supporting these vital programs"2
None of the six checks
Brad Knott
Nothing on this topic
Steven Swinton
No campaign website found
Schools and education
Paul Barringer
Quality Education"I also support service programs for older youth that combine education, vocational training, and community service." Also: "parents should have a real seat at the table when it comes to what's being taught in the classroom."2
None of the six checks
Brad Knott
Supporting School Choice"I support school choice so parents can get their children out of failing schools and into schools that will provide the education their children need."5
Names a policy
Steven Swinton
No campaign website found
Farms and rural areas
Paul Barringer
Agriculture & Farming"opposing unnecessary tariffs that hurt our farmers' ability to export what they produce" and "We should also invest in rural infrastructure, preserve farmland for future generations"2
None of the six checks
Brad Knott
Nothing on this topic
Steven Swinton
No campaign website found
Energy and environment
Paul Barringer
Conservation & Public Lands"I support full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund" and "preventing the sale or privatization of federal lands"2
Names a policy
Brad Knott
Nothing on this topic
Steven Swinton
No campaign website found
Crime and public safety
Paul Barringer
Criminal Justice & Policing"I believe in ensuring officers have the resources and respect they need to do their jobs." Also: "we should support efforts to help them re-enter society, find work, and contribute in a positive way." And: "I worked for years in the prison system teaching literacy, helping inmates find employment after release"2
None of the six checks
Brad Knott
Backing the Blue"I proudly and unapologetically 'Back the Blue' 100%." Also: "As a prosecutor, I saw firsthand the devastation caused by drugs and crime, and I worked alongside sheriffs and police departments to investigate and convict drug dealers."5
None of the six checks
Steven Swinton
No campaign website found
Budget, debt and spending
Paul Barringer
Disciplined Fiscal Policy"we need to get serious about spending restraint and work toward a balanced budget."2
None of the six checks
Brad Knott
Ending Wasteful Spending"It's time to cut spending and carefully scrutinize every spending bill to make cuts. I support a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution."5
Names a policy
Steven Swinton
No campaign website found
Taxes, jobs and the economy
Paul Barringer
Tariffs"short-term fixes like blanket tariffs that can backfire on the very people they're meant to help" and "broad tariffs function like a tax on consumers"2
Names a policy
Brad Knott
Nothing on this topic
Steven Swinton
No campaign website found
Defense and foreign policy
Paul Barringer
Strong Foreign Policy"we should not cozy up to dictatorships or authoritarian regimes that undermine human rights, freedom, and the rule of law."2
None of the six checks
Brad Knott
Nothing on this topic
Steven Swinton
No campaign website found
Rights and freedoms
Paul Barringer
Nothing on this topic
Brad Knott
Protecting Free Speech"I will fight to end cancel culture, protect freedom of speech, and work to stop the Radical Left's targeting of Christian conservatives."5
None of the six checks
Steven Swinton
No campaign website found
Their record
Paul Barringer
  • Says he works as a healthcare consultant and as a lawyer who represents people with disabilities pro bono in Social Security benefit cases.3
  • Says he "worked for years in the prison system teaching literacy, helping inmates find employment after release"2. His site points to no elected office.
Brad Knott
  • Says he spent seven and a half years as a prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney's Office for Eastern North Carolina.6
  • His About page lists him as Congressman, says he first ran for office in 2024 and says he is running for re-election.6 His pages point to no votes or bills.
Steven Swinton
None listed
In their words
Paul Barringer

"I believe in the importance of an independent Congress that is willing to exercise its constitutional obligations to make laws, control the purse, and oversee the executive and judicial branches of government."

Paul Barringer, campaign About page3

"I'm running to bring common sense and constitutional values back to Washington"

Paul Barringer, campaign About page3
Brad Knott

"I'm running for re-election to fight for the families in North Carolina's 13th District to be safe and thriving."

Brad Knott, campaign Home page7

"As a prosecutor I saw the real-life costs here at home when politicians failed to solve problems"

Brad Knott, campaign Home page7
Steven Swinton
None
Where we read it
Paul Barringer
Website: paulbarringer.com/priorities (checked 11/5/2026)
Brad Knott
Website: bradknott.com/priorities (checked 11/5/2026)
Steven Swinton
No campaign website found (checked 11/5/2026)

The middle

Where they agree

  • Both want existing gun laws enforced. Barringer: "We need to enforce the laws already on the books"2 Knott: "We need to enforce the gun laws we have, not pass new ones that target the law-abiding rather than criminals."5
  • Both want parents to have a say in schools. Barringer: "parents should have a real seat at the table when it comes to what's being taught in the classroom."2 Knott: "Parents must have a voice in school curriculums and policies."5
  • Both back a balanced budget. Barringer: "work toward a balanced budget."2 Knott: "I support a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution."5

Where they really split

  • Abortion: Knott: "I'm pro-life. I support state laws protecting the unborn."5 Barringer: "the law should not be an impediment to a woman making the health care choices she needs to make with her doctor."2
  • Schools: Knott: "I support school choice so parents can get their children out of failing schools"5 Barringer: "I'm a proud supporter of our public schools and the teachers who show up every day"2
  • Immigration: Knott: "An illegal immigrant who commits a felony should be sent to prison for a minimum of five years and then deported."5 Barringer: "we need to modernize our legal immigration system to meet workforce needs"2

What each one leaves out

  • Barringer's twelve planks name a specific policy on three and spell out how on none. None has a cost or a date, and his site points to no elected office.2, 3
  • Knott's Priorities page has seven issues and spells out how on one (a five-year minimum prison term for an immigrant who commits a felony). It doesn't mention health care, veterans, farming or tariffs, and it names no votes from his time in Congress.5, 6
  • Swinton, the Libertarian on the ballot, has no campaign website we could find, so none of his positions are scored.
Sources (checked 11/5/2026)
  1. NC State Board of Elections results, statewide, unofficial (100% of precincts reporting, last county upload Nov 4, 2026 4:13 PM): er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/03/2026&county_id=0&office=FED&contest=0
  2. Paul Barringer campaign, Priorities: paulbarringer.com/priorities
  3. Paul Barringer campaign, About: paulbarringer.com/about
  4. Paul Barringer campaign, Home: paulbarringer.com/
  5. Brad Knott campaign, Priorities: bradknott.com/priorities
  6. Brad Knott campaign, About: bradknott.com/about
  7. Brad Knott campaign, Home: bradknott.com/