Republican congressional candidate suspended from Kalshi for betting on her own race

Prediction-market exchange Kalshi suspended Republican congressional hopeful Laurie Buckhout for three years and levied a fine of over $2,500 after she placed a bet on her own North Carolina 1st District race. Kalshi said Buckhout broke its policy against wagering on personal campaign outcomes, though she cooperated fully with the subsequent inquiry. In a statement, Buckhout called the action a “dumb mistake,” noting she corrected the issue as soon as she learned of the problem.

Buckhout is running again against Democrat Don Davis, who she lost to by roughly 6,300 votes in 2024, and she argues that recent redistricting now favors a Trump-leaning electorate. A retired Army colonel, she secured the Republican nomination with 40% of the primary vote and enjoys Trump’s endorsement. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s spokesperson condemned the incident, suggesting it raises doubts about her ethical suitability for office.