A congressional candidate in North Carolina is drawing attention after a viral video showed her describing herself as a progressive while running in a Republican primary.
Kate Barr, who is seeking to represent the state’s 14th Congressional District, made the remarks during a podcast appearance. She said she tells voters directly that although she is running in the GOP primary, she is “not a Republican” and identifies as a progressive. Barr added that she is “being dead honest” about how she would govern if elected.
Barr filed paperwork on November 6 to challenge incumbent Republican Representative Tim Moore. On her campaign website, she explains she chose to run as a Republican because it is “the only way to kick these corrupt cowards out of office,” arguing that district maps have been “rigged” to favor GOP victories and that the primary is effectively the only competitive race.
In a statement, Barr criticized Moore, saying he is “terrible for the voters of district 14” and accusing him of enriching himself while constituents struggle. She said her campaign is intended to give voters “a real choice.”
The strategy has sparked backlash online, with some critics calling it cheating, while others say she has not hidden her political views. Second Amendment activist Cam Edwards wrote that her approach is “front and center on her campaign website,” suggesting it is not a secret.