The Laurie Story: Anybody have a map? (Where’s, um, NEW Bern?)

If there’s one thing Laurie Buckhout is good at — it’s giving me stuff to write about.

The runner-up (and GOP nominee) in 2024’s First Congressional  District race is trying again in 2026. This time, she’s part of a five-person primary field.

SO far, we’e heard about some unusual offers she’s pitched to at least two primary foes.  We’ve heard about an alleged shoutout to her from President Trump that no one but her actually heard. We’ve also heard about a runaround she gave a prominent restaurant owner in the district.  You have  to wonder: What’s next?

Well, wait no longer.

We understand – thanks to some of our many coastal moles / fans / loyal readers — that Buckhout and some other candidates were slated to speak Monday night at the God & Country Christian Alliance meeting at Moore’s BBQ in New Bern.

As the meeting went on, Buckhout was conspicuously absent.  Buckhout contacted the meeting organizers and offered an apology. She explained that she had “accidentally” gone to the Moore’s location in Morehead City.  

The God & Country folks have been meeting in that same restaurant in New Bern for about ten years.

Remember, this is a woman described by one of her campaign consultants as “deeply rooted in Eastern North Carolina communities.”

My sources tell me that the God & Country folks told Buckhout the meeting was running late and there was still time for her to show up and speak.  (The Moore’s in Morehead City – where Buckhout was —  is about a thirty minute drive from the one in New Bern — where the meeting was actually happening.)

She never showed, I’m told.