Mark Walker ends bid for Congress, joins Trump's campaign

There will not be a Republican runoff in North Carolina's 6th Congressional District after all.

Former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker has opted not to call for a runoff against first-time candidate Addison McDowell in the central North Carolina district. Instead, Walker is joining former President Donald Trump's campaign. Trump first announced the news. Walker's campaign confirmed it.

"I’ve asked Congressman Mark Walker to join my Campaign team to work with Faith Groups and Minority Communities, and he has agreed to immediately do so," Trump wrote on Truth Social, his social media platform.

"He is very well suited for this important work. As a former Pastor, Mark is respected across the Evangelical Communities, and lived out his Faith in Congress. Mark and I had many Wins together, and we look forward to continuing to build bridges to all Communities in our Great Nation, and advancing this important work in the White House."

Trump secured enough delegates to clinch the Republican nomination Tuesday night, making him the presumptive nominee.

He previously endorsed McDowell for the U.S. House seat.

Walker said Trump reached out to him Tuesday afternoon to be the campaign's Director of Outreach for family and minority communities.

"I'm delighted to accept this position," Walker wrote in a statement released by his campaign.

Walker said he would work with Trump in the White House if he is elected.

"I look forward to working with faith leaders across the country to promote families, liberty and opportunities for people and places long forgotten by Democrats," Walker said.

McDowell received 26.1% of the vote in the March 5 primary with Walker getting 24.0%, a difference of less than 2,000 votes, according to unofficial results. Six Republicans ran for the nomination with Christian Castelli receiving 21% of the vote and Bo Hines garnering 14.4%. Castelli and Hines endorsed McDowell in recent days.

With no candidate receiving 30%, the second-place finisher is entitled to ask for a runoff or second primary. Such an election would be held May 14.

"No question about it," Walker told WRAL on March 5 when asked if he would ask for a runoff.

As recently as Tuesday, Walker called for a televised debate with McDowell.

No Democrat is running in the district in the general election.

The seat is currently held by Democrat Kathy Manning, who opted not to run for re-election after state lawmakers redrew the district into one that heavily favors Republicans. Manning is in her second term in Congress. She replaced Walker, who did not run for re-election after the district moved toward Democrats.

Walker ran for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate in 2022, finishing third. He flirted with a run for governor in 2024 before choosing to run in the 6th Congressional District.

The 6th Congressional District includes parts or all of Cabarrus, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford and Rowan counties.

Three Republican candidates have asked for a runoff or second primary election this spring.

Lieutenant governor candidate Jim O’Neill, who finished second to Hal Weatherman, state auditor candidate Dave Boliek, who finished second to Jack Clark, and 13th Congressional District candidate Brad Knott, who finished second to Kelly Daughtry in the Triangle-area district have requested a runoff.