In a surprising turn of events, former U.S. Representative Mark Walker has announced that he will not be requesting a runoff following his second-place finish in the recent primary for North Carolina's 6th District. Instead, Walker will be joining former President Donald Trump's campaign.

Walker, who served in Congress for six years until 2020, had been running for his old seat in the central North Carolina district. The top vote-getter in the Republican primary, Addison McDowell, failed to meet the 30% vote threshold needed to avoid a runoff. However, state law dictated that it was up to Walker to formally ask for the runoff, a request he has now declined to make.

With Walker stepping aside, McDowell virtually secures the Republican nomination and becomes the strong favorite to represent the 6th District in the upcoming general election, as he will face no Democratic opposition. This outcome is due to the current 6th District representative, Democrat Kathy Manning, not seeking reelection after redistricting by the GOP-controlled legislature shifted the seat rightward, discouraging other Democratic candidates from filing.

Earlier this week, Trump took to social media to announce that he had invited Walker to join his campaign team, particularly focusing on working with faith groups and minority communities. Walker, a former Baptist pastor, accepted the offer, citing their previous successful collaborations and their shared commitment to bridge-building. Walker's work in Congress notably involved efforts to support historically Black colleges and universities.

McDowell, a first-time candidate and former lobbyist for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, had secured Trump's formal endorsement prior to the primary. McDowell also received support from influential state legislative leaders. In a statement, he expressed his gratitude to Republican Representative Richard Hudson and Senator Ted Budd for their mentorship.

McDowell's campaign has centered around his commitment to securing the U.S.-Mexico border, inspired by the tragic death of his younger brother from a fentanyl overdose in 2016. He has vowed to prioritize American jobs and champion the "America First" agenda.

Walker's decision to join Trump's campaign comes after his third-place finish in the 2022 U.S. Senate primary, where Budd received Trump's endorsement. Prior to that, Walker had briefly considered a run for governor before shifting his focus to the 6th District seat.

Meanwhile, the Republican primary for North Carolina's 13th Congressional District is headed for a runoff. Brad Knott, who finished second, has formally requested a runoff election. Kelly Daughtry, an attorney from Smithfield, got the most votes in the race but fell short of the required 30%. The winner of this runoff will face Democrat Frank Pierce in the general election.

With the latest redistricting map favoring Republicans, it is expected that the GOP will win at least 10 out of the 14 congressional seats in North Carolina. This shift in the state's political landscape could play a significant role in the national Republican Party's efforts to maintain their slim majority in the House of Representatives in 2025.