McDowell Had Never Held Elected Office Before Winning His Congressional Seat At Age 30. According to Spectrum News, McDowell's only professional experience before Congress was working as a constituent liaison for then-Rep. Ted Budd and lobbying for Blue Cross Blue Shield. He described his new role as similar to his previous work, "just a little more public-facing." [Spectrum News, 1/9/25]
McDowell Won His Primary With Only 26% Of The Vote And Avoided A Runoff Only Because His Closest Opponent Dropped Out. According to WUNC, McDowell received just 26.1% in the six-candidate Republican primary — well below the 30% threshold required to avoid a runoff. Former Rep. Mark Walker, who finished second with 24.1%, declined to request a runoff and instead joined Trump's campaign, handing McDowell the nomination without a head-to-head contest. [WUNC, 3/14/24]