Laurie Buckhout
Background
- Has never held elected office. In 2025 she was the Pentagon's deputy assistant secretary for cyber policy and performed the duties of the assistant secretary.
- Founded the defense consulting firm Corvus Consulting in 2012 and ran it until Castellum, Inc. bought it in 2019; she then became Castellum's chief revenue officer and a director.
- Retired from the Army as a colonel after 26 years, with two combat tours in Iraq, according to a 2022 SEC filing by Castellum. Her campaign also calls her a combat commander. She lives in Edenton.
- The 2024 Republican nominee, she lost to Davis by 6,307 votes. She won the March 3, 2026 primary with 39.5% in a field of five.
What they say they want to do
- Tax cuts for working families.
- More resources for Border Patrol agents to keep drugs out.
- Fewer regulations on farmers, fishermen and the seafood industry.
- More investment in the military, to deter China, Iran and Russia and defend allies like Israel.
- Fewer rules on artificial intelligence, and clear rules for digital assets.
What the official record shows
- Castellum, Inc. bought Corvus Consulting, the defense firm she founded in 2012, from her trust for $9.6 million in total.
- Testified to the House Armed Services Committee on the Pentagon's cyber posture, as deputy assistant secretary performing the duties of the assistant secretary for cyber policy.
Campaign money from other committees, by type
| Transfers and contributions from joint fundraising committees 8 committees | $376,809 |
|---|---|
| Leadership PACs 40 committees | $148,500 |
| PAC - Qualified 14 committees | $55,000 |
| House 26 committees | $54,500 |
| Hybrid PAC (with Non-Contribution Account) - Qualified 5 committees | $30,000 |
| Corporation PACs 3 committees | $18,346 |
| PAC - Nonqualified 2 committees | $8,500 |
| Membership Organization PACs 3 committees | $6,000 |
| Party committees 1 committee | $5,000 |
| Trade Association PACs 1 committee | $5,000 |
| Committees the FEC records no type for 3 committees | $850 |
Source: Federal Election Commission
Money from political committees in the 2025-26 cycle, through June 30, 2026 (FEC lines 11B, 11C and 12). The rows sum to $708,504.91. Not counted here: donations from individuals, including through WinRed or ActBlue, and the $2,401,000 she lent her campaign this cycle. The rows sum to 708,504.91 dollars.