Tom
Bailey
Tom Bailey is the Libertarian candidate for North Carolina's 1st Congressional District in the 2026 general election.
- sources
- 8
- positions
- 8
- endorsements
- 0
Background
Thomas Aaron "Tom" Bailey is the Libertarian Party candidate for North Carolina's 1st Congressional District in the November 2026 general election. He is a retired roofing contractor from Greensboro, North Carolina, and a Vietnam War veteran. The state's official candidate list records his full name as Thomas Aaron Bailey; the Libertarian Party of North Carolina also lists him as its District 1 U.S. House candidate. [Sources: 15, 26]
Bailey graduated from South Bakersfield High School in Bakersfield, California, in 1968, and was a fellow of the North Carolina Institute of Political Leadership in 1993. He served on the Guilford County Board of Adjustments in 1994–95, though that service is not described as an elected position. [Sources: 1, 8]
He has a history of Libertarian candidacies: he was the party's U.S. Senate nominee in North Carolina in 2004, and has previously run for U.S. House in 2018 and 2024. In the 2026 race, he is challenging incumbent Democrat Don Davis and Republican challenger Sandy Buckhout. [Sources: 1, 17, 27]
No official campaign website or verified social-media accounts for Bailey's 2026 campaign were identified in the available sources. [Source: 1]
At a glance
- Party
- Libertarian
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 1, North Carolina
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Retired roofing contractor
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 11filingBailey reported to have no FEC campaign finance reports filed
A race reference page indicated Bailey had no reports filed with the FEC, while reporting through June 30 showed millions raised by Davis and Buckhout. No publicly reported campaign-finance totals for Bailey appeared in those records.
North Carolina's 1st District Race 2026: Who's Running (NC-1) · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 9newsBailey calls the economy 'dismal,' citing food prices, debt, and shortages in candidate questionnaire
In a News & Observer candidate questionnaire, Bailey described the economy as 'dismal,' citing food and fuel prices, building-material and fertilizer shortages, and federal debt. He stated 'Food and fuel are being priced out of reach' and that interest on '$40 trillion in debt is unsustainable.'
Fact check: Where NC's 1st District candidates stand on the economy · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 8pollPoll shows Bailey at 8% in NC-01, trailing Davis 47% and Buckhout 39%
The Downballot reported a GQR poll for incumbent Don Davis showing Davis 47%, Buckhout 39%, and Bailey 8%. Field dates, sample size, and methodology were not provided. A separate Neighborhood Research and Media poll showing Davis 51% and Buckhout 41% did not mention Bailey's result.
The House battleground has moved deep into Trump turf · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 7newsBailey opposes warrantless arrests and deportation of non-offenders in immigration questionnaire
Responding to questions from The Charlotte Observer about immigration enforcement, Bailey opposed warrantless arrests and denial of due process. He also opposed deporting people without legal status who had not harmed others, stating: 'I do not agree with warrantless arrests. I do not agree with denial of due process.'
Where the candidates stand on immigration in a hard-fought race in Eastern NC · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 21newsBailey describes campaign as offering voters an alternative to major parties
In an Associated Press report, Bailey said his campaign was focused in part on giving voters an alternative to the two major parties. The report also noted the 2026 contest would be held under North Carolina's new congressional map.
Davis-Buckhout rematch takes shape in newly redrawn 1st ... · Sep 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 14filingTom Bailey listed as Libertarian candidate in NC-01 general election voter guide
North Carolina's state voter guide listed Tom Bailey among the District 1 candidates for the November 3 general election. A candidate reference page notes he advanced to the general election after the Libertarian primary was canceled.
2026 North Carolina voter guide: Important deadlines, where to vote, and what's on the ballot · Sep 14, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Sources 8
- [1] Fact check: Where NC's 1st District candidates stand on the economy(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [2] The House battleground has moved deep into Trump turf(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [3] Where the candidates stand on immigration in a hard-fought race in Eastern NC(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [4] North Carolina's 1st District Race 2026: Who's Running (NC-1)(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [5] Thomas Aaron "Tom" Bailey - North Carolina(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [6] Eastern NC congressional candidates on priorities, ICE and the economy(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
- [7] Davis-Buckhout rematch takes shape in newly redrawn 1st ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
- [8] 2026 North Carolina voter guide: Important deadlines, where to vote, and what's on the ballot(opens in a new tab) Sep 14, 2026