Kate Barr, a lifelong North Carolina Democrat who recently changed her registration to run in the Republican primary for the 14th Congressional District, has acknowledged on camera that she is not a traditional GOP member and is running as a progressive within the Republican primary to challenge incumbent Rep. Tim Moore. Barr says the switch responds to gerrymandering and closed primaries that make general elections uncompetitive; her platform highlights fair maps, a $20 minimum wage, and tax relief for the first $100,000 of income. Republican officials call her bid a stunt; the upcoming primary is March 3, 2026. (theassemblync.com)