WS Chronicle

Local Democrat Kathy Manning defeated four others in the primary election, vying for the vacant seat in the 6th District of the U.S. Congress left by Representative Mark Walker, who didn’t file for re-election. The newly drawn district includes parts of Greensboro, High Point and Winston-Salem. 

Along with Manning in the race against Derwin Montgomery, the current state house representative and executive director of the Bethesda Center, were Ed Hanes Jr., former state house representative; Rhonda Foxx, former chief of staff for Congresswoman Alma Adams; and Bruce Davis, a former Guilford County Commissioner. Manning received an astonishing 56,665 votes, which is nearly 50% of the entire votes cast. Rhonda Foxx, who finished second, received 19.8% of the votes. Montgomery, a former Winston-Salem City Councilmember, received 12% of the votes, and Hanes, who is a native of Winston-Salem, received 4% of the votes cast. 

A retired lawyer from Greensboro, Manning is best known for her involvement in the plan to revitalize downtown Greensboro. In 2018 she was unsuccessful in her bid to unseat Republication Ted Budd for Congress. Manning’s platform touches on a number of areas including advocating for women’s rights, improving public education, affordable healthcare, and bringing an end to gun violence. 

During a watch party on Tuesday evening when it seemed the race was out of reach, Manning said the people of the 6th District want a representative who can listen and can be the voice of the people. She said what she enjoyed most about campaigning was going to different communities, connecting with people, and learning about their needs. 

“The people are very interested in meeting you and sharing their thoughts and their desires and their needs for the future,” Manning continued. “In this district, people want to talk to their representative and they want a voice that represents them and they want to know that you’re listening.”

Manning will face Republican Lee Haywood in the General Election. Haywood defeated Laura Pichardo in the primary election with 73% of the vote.