Democratic incumbent and GOP challenger in a close contest in NC's 1st Congressional District

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Don Davis and Republican challenger Laurie Buckhout remained in a close contest early Wednesday for North Carolina’s only toss-up congressional district.

With the vast majority of precincts reporting, Davis and Buckhout were separated by a narrow margin in the closely watched race for the 1st Congressional District, one of the few competitive districts across the Southeast.

The race has attracted millions of dollars from both parties to either flip or maintain the district, which spans from Currituck County to a small portion of Granville County in the state's northeast.

The district's political landscape is a bit different for Davis compared to when he defeated Republican opponent Sandy Smith in 2022. Last year, the GOP-controlled state legislature added a handful of conservative-leaning counties to the district, making it less blue than it once was.

Davis was born and raised in Snow Hill and has held various political positions in the region, including as his hometown's mayor and a state senator. He also is a U.S. Air Force veteran.

Buckhout served in the U.S. Army for more than 25 years before retiring and starting a Virginia-based military technology consulting company. She sold the company and moved to Edenton a few years ago.

Both Davis and Buckhout have sought to tie each other to the unpopular policies or controversial behaviors of other candidates in their respective parties.

Buckhout's campaign has repeatedly tried to tie Davis with Vice President Kamala Harris' economic and immigration policies as a way to win over voters dissatisfied with the Biden-Harris administration. Davis voted with House Republicans in July to condemn Harris' work at the U.S.-Mexico border, then endorsed her presidential run a day later. He has also campaigned with her, speaking at one of her rallies in Greenville in October.

Democratic groups supporting Davis, meanwhile, have tried to draw connections between Buckhout and Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, whose gubernatorial campaign has been fighting back against a CNN report alleging that he made several graphic sexual and racist comments on an online pornography forum about a decade ago. Robinson has denied the claims, and The Associated Press has not independently verified them.

Those groups also have used photos in which Buckhout appears with Robinson to tie her to the lieutenant governor's shifting stance on abortion restrictions. Buckhout has previously said that she's focused on her own race rather than Robinson's.

Sasha Dix shows his "I voted" sticker after he voted at TC Roberson High School on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Asheville, N.C. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)

Poll worker Kerri Ryan gives a choice of "I voted" stickers to Sasha Dix after he submitted his ballot at TC Roberson High School on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Asheville, N.C. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)

Poll worker, Genevieve Bieniosek helps a voter with curbside voting outside the West Asheville Public Library on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Asheville, N.C. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)

Glyn Hughes, left, gives Republican ballot information to Peter Dolan who came with his children, Zoe, left and P.J. to vote this morning at Reynolds Middle School on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Asheville, N.C. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)

A voter leaves a polling place at St. James Episcopal Church in Black Mountain, N.C. on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. The town near Asheville was among the many hard hit by Hurricane Helene, and the church was hosting two displaced precincts. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)

Voters walk through rows of political signs outside of TC Roberson High School on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Asheville, N.C. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)

Four-year-old Stone Smathers, center, waits for his parents to finish voting, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Canton, N.C. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

University of North Carolina at Asheville student, Elijah Walker-Haigh, left, speaks with advocates for Vice President Kamala Harris, Greg Horwitch, middle, and David Dean outside the West Asheville Public Library on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Asheville, N.C. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)

Zeb Smathers, shows a ballot to his 4-year-old son, Stone Smathers, while voting, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Canton, N.C. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

FILE - Congressional candidate Laurie Buckhout, R-N.C., second from right, speaks to a supporter prior to a staff photo at the Nash County Republican headquarters in Rocky Mount, N.C., Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker, File)

FILE - Rep. Don Davis, D-N.C., speaks at a campaign event for Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, at East Carolina University, Oct. 13, 2024, in Greenville, N.C. (AP Photo/David Yeazell, File)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder won their franchise-record 13th consecutive regular-season game, 116-98 over the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night.

The Thunder trailed by 16 in the first half before pulling within 52-48 at halftime. Shaking off a cold shooting first half, the Thunder exploded for 42 third-quarter points and an 18-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Gilgeous-Alexander also had a game high eight assists for the Thunder, who are 28-5 and have won 17 of their last 18 regular-season games. He did not play in the fourth quarter.

Jalen Williams scored 18 points and Isaiah Hartenstein added 11 points and nine rebounds for Oklahoma City.

Amir Coffey led the Clippers with 26 points.

After shooting just 31% in the first half, the Thunder wound up at an even 50% for the game and added to their league-leading steal total with 11 takeaways.

Despite the slow start, the Thunder's depth eventually overwhelmed the Clippers, who were without James Harden, a late scratch.

Williams hit a runner at the halftime buzzer to cut the Clippers lead to four, then scored the first six points of the second half to jumpstart a 23-5 run that put the Thunder in control.

Norman Powell came into the game averaging a career high 24.3 points per game. He missed his first nine shots and didn’t get a basket until eight minutes remained, finishing with six points on 1-of-11 shooting including 0-for-5 from 3-point range.

The Thunder continue their homestand Friday night against the Knicks. The Clippers return home to host Atlanta on Saturday with the expected return of Kawhi Leonard.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Los Angeles Clippers guard Kevin Porter Jr. (77) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kenrich Williams, center, looks to pass the ball away from Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum (33) and guard Kevin Porter Jr. (77) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots over Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, left, knocks the ball away from Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell (24) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Amir Coffey (7) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, right, looks for an outlet as Los Angeles Clippers guard Amir Coffey (7) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)