Nida Allam Launches Bid to Unseat Rep. Valerie Foushee in Heated 4th District Primary

DURHAM, NC – In a move that could reshape one of North Carolina’s most closely watched congressional races, Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam officially launched her campaign Thursday (Dec. 11) to challenge Congresswoman Valerie Foushee in the March Democratic primary, setting up a high-profile rematch in the state’s 4th Congressional District.

Progressive Challenger Returns

Allam, who narrowly lost to Foushee in 2022, announced her bid for a rematch surrounded by supporters in Durham. First elected to the Durham County Board of Commissioners in 2020, Allam made history as the first Muslim woman elected to public office in North Carolina and recently completed a term as the chair of the board.

She said her decision to run again stems from what she views as a lack of urgency and moral clarity in Congress — particularly around immigration enforcement and Trump-era policies.

“When ICE and CBP were here in our district, kidnapping our neighbors and separating families, our member of Congress posted a tweet,” Allam said. “Families are hurting now. We need leadership that acts with urgency and stands up to Trump’s authoritarianism.”

Foushee Defends Record on Immigration

Foushee, who represents Durham, Orange, and portions of Wake and Chatham counties, has pushed back on Allam’s criticism, pointing to her record of introducing and supporting immigration reform legislation.

“In Congress, I’m working to pass the Neighbors Not Enemies Act to repeal the President’s sweeping power to detain foreign nationals,” Foushee said in a recent post. “I’m proud to cosponsor the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act and the ICE Badge Visibility Act, and I remain committed to protecting our immigrant communities.”

Foushee, a former state senator from Orange County, was elected in 2022 after the retirement of longtime Congressman David Price.

Sanders, Progressive Groups Back Allam

Allam enters the race with strong national progressive support. Her campaign has been endorsed by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, Justice Democrats, and the Working Families Party.

“Nida is a proven fighter with the courage to take on corporate power and billionaire-funded Super PACs like AIPAC,” Sanders said. “At a time when oligarchs are tightening their grip on government, we need leaders like Nida who answer to working families, not the billionaire class.”

In response to ongoing criticism about her 2022 campaign funding, Foushee announced in August that she will not accept contributions from AIPAC next year. The pro-Israel lobbying group played a major financial role in the previous Democratic primary.

Debate Over Israel Policy

Allam also addressed the war in Gaza, saying the district deserves a representative who “reflects the moral values of Democrats across the country.”

“A majority of Americans and Democrats have said what Israel has conducted in Gaza is a genocide,” Allam said. “Our party must do better.”

Foushee, who visited Israel on an AIPAC-sponsored trip, defended her participation, saying diplomatic engagement is essential to promoting peace and humanitarian aid.

“Fostering dialogue and facilitating de-escalation efforts is the only way to reach a bilateral ceasefire, ensure the release of hostages, and pursue a two-state solution,” Foushee said.

Looking Ahead

Allam announced that gun control activist David Hogg will join her on the campaign trail this weekend as she ramps up voter engagement across the 4th District, which spans Durham, Orange, Wake, and Chatham counties.

With the March Democratic primary fast approaching, the race between Allam and Foushee promises to test the strength of North Carolina’s progressive movement against the Democratic establishment.