About The 5th District Democrats

North Carolina's 5th congressional district covers the northwestern corner of North Carolina from the Appalachian Mountains to the Piedmont Triad. While the bulk of its territory is in the mountains, it stretches just far enough east to grab its largest city in the district, Winston-Salem. Redistricting has changed its makeup over the years. A special Redistricting of North Carolina’s US congressional districts were ordered by federal courts in February 2016. Afterward, this map was approved by the North Carolina State Legislature on February 19th, 2016, becoming Session Law 2016-1. Most recently - on December 2nd, 2019 - after several court battles, a map was accepted and the 5th District changed again. Currently, the counties in the 5th district are • Alexander • Alleghany • Ashe • Burke • Caldwell • Catawba (tiny bit) • Cleveland • Gaston • Rutherford (partial) • Watauga • Wilkes •

The 5th district has only become "red" in the past 20 years during the Art Pope push of the 90s. Previously, Stephen Lybrook Neal, a Winston-Salem Democrat led the 5th district for 20 years.  A member of "The Class of '74," as the Congressmen of his class was called, they were reform-minded lawmakers that swept into the House of Representatives in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal. Today they are still regarded with reverence by many on Capitol Hill for pushing the rules and modernizing the House. 

William W. Kitchin             Democratic        March 4, 1897 – January 11, 1909  (Resigned after being elected Governor)

John M. Morehead               Republican         March 4, 1909 – March 3, 1911

Charles M. Stedman           Democratic       March 4, 1911 – September 23, 1930       (Died in office)

Franklin W. Hancock, Jr.   Democratic       November 4, 1930 – January 3, 1939

 Alonzo D. Folger                Democratic        January 3, 1939 – April 30, 1941              (Died in office)

 John H. Folger                    Democratic        June 14, 1941 – January 3, 1949

 Richard T. Chatham          Democratic        January 3, 1949 – January 3, 1957

 Ralph J. Scott                      Democratic        January 3, 1957 – January 3, 1967

 Nick Galifianakis               Democratic        January 3, 1967 – January 3, 1969           (Redistricted to the 4th district)

 Vinegar Bend Mizell           Republican          January 3, 1969 – January 3, 1975

 Stephen L. Neal                  Democratic         January 3, 1975 – January 3, 1995

 Richard Burr                       Republican           January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2005

 Virginia Foxx                      Republican          January 3, 2005 – Present