NASHVILLE, N.C. — Rep. George Holding didn’t have time to finish his beer.

The North Carolina Republican made a last-minute appearance at the local Chamber of Commerce’s Fall Shrimp, Oyster and Chicken Fest here Thursday night. But after 20 minutes of schmoozing at the entrance of the Rose Hill Plantation, it was time to push on to the opening of a county GOP headquarters about 20 minutes away.

For the first time in his career, Holding is facing a real race in the general election — his first with a Republican in the White House. (He defeated former Rep. Renee Ellmers in a competitive 2016 member-on-member primary in the 2nd District.)

He’s up this year against Democrat Linda Coleman, a former state representative who’s lost two races for state lieutenant governor. And with just six days until Nov. 6, it’s an open question whether a blue wave could sweep Holding away in a district that was drawn for Republicans — and whether he’s done enough to prevent it.

Republicans say the race looks better for the congressman than it did several weeks ago — likely the combination of GOP voters naturally tuning in late and the Brett M. Kavanaugh hearings moving some independent voters rightward. But national groups are still spending, signaling that neither party has put away the race. Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales the race Leans Republican.