Former Rep. Renee Ellmers running for Congress again in North Carolina

The Hill
·2 min read
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Former Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.) announced on Wednesday that she is mounting another bid for the U.S. House, with hopes of returning to Washington after she was ousted from her post in a 2016 GOP primary.

Ellmers, who served in the House for three terms before launching an unsuccessful bid for North Carolina lieutenant governor in 2019, said she will file for a congressional campaign in the Tar Heel State's 4th Congressional District Friday.

"For the past 18 months I've been on the frontlines fighting COVID. Now I am honored to be officially running for Congress to fight for the good people of NC's 4th district where I live & work. I will file this Friday. #MakeAmericaGreat #Trump," the ex-congresswoman, who currently works as a registered nurse, wrote on Twitter.

Ellmers lost her position in the lower chamber in 2016 after Rep. George Holding (R-N.C.) beat her in a primary race. The two lawmakers ran against one another due to redistricting.

Her loss came around the same time rumors circulated on Capitol Hill that the North Carolina Republican was having an extramarital affair with then-House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). The unsubstantiated rumors were largely driven by Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.), according to Politico.

McCarthy denied the rumors, but ultimately dropped out of the race for Speaker that year.

Ellmers ran for North Carolina lieutenant governor in 2019, but ultimately lost to Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson (R) in a crowded field.

Ellmers, who is a strong supporter of former President Trump, knocked President Biden in a statement, writing that he is "trying to tear apart the very foundations on which this country was formed."

"We need experienced people to counter his agenda of destruction on Capitol Hill and I'm ready to go and be part of that fight to get our country back on track," she added, according to the AP.

State Rep. John Szoka (R) and former Fayetteville Mayor Nat Robertson (R) have both already filed paperwork for the 4th Congressional District.

McCarthy met with Bo Hines, who is running for North Carolina's 7th Congressional District, on Wednesday, according to CNN. He could, however, end up in a race against Ellmers if he moves his campaign to the 4th Congressional District.