HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. — Election night at Madison Cawthorn’s campaign headquarters started with the vibe of a warm, summertime neighborhood get-together. Supporters were greeted with food trucks, coolers of drinks, and corn hole boards for the kids.
But there was something much more serious at stake: Would the first-term congressman win the Republican primary for a shot at a second term? Would his short time in elected office succumb to the myriad of controversies, or would the support of former President Trump carry him to the general election?
Within minutes of polls closing, early returns started coming from across the 11th Congressional District. In a field of eight GOP candidates, initial results showed Cawthorn trailing his main opponent, state Sen. Chuck Edwards, by a few thousand votes.
