Who's running in North Carolina's 7th congressional district
4 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
4 candidates · ballot order · David Rouzer currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Water resources and infrastructure policy, as a Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee chairman.
Agriculture policy, drawing on his Agriculture Department service.
Support for Israel; he is endorsed by AIPAC.
Coastal storm resilience and flood mitigation in a hurricane-exposed district.
The Republican legislative agenda in Congress.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative for the 7th District since January 2015; re-elected in 2024 with 58.6%.
Former North Carolina state senator and U.S. Department of Agriculture official.
Beat David Buzzard in the March 3, 2026 Republican primary.
Endorsed by President Trump.
Arguments in favor
President Trump endorsed his re-election.
— President Donald Trump
AIPAC endorsed him, and his campaign points to a subcommittee chairmanship on Transportation and Infrastructure that bears directly on a coastal district's flood and port needs.
— AIPAC; the Rouzer campaign
Arguments against
His Democratic opponent says he is disconnected from south-eastern North Carolina and is not representing the district's interests at all, and that he is not holding the administration accountable for what she calls recklessness in Congress.
— Kimberly Hardy, his Democratic opponent
What we couldn’t verify
Rouzer's response to Hardy's characterisation was not established from sources read.
No independent reporting critical of him by name was found for this cycle.
No campaign website for him could be located; the link given is his official House site.
Congressional oversight of the administration, which she says the incumbent is not exercising.
Social services and community health, drawing on her social work background.
Women's political representation; she is endorsed by the National Women's Political Caucus.
Economic policy aimed at working households; she is endorsed by Patriotic Millionaires.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Social work academic from Cumberland County.
Announced her campaign on June 30, 2025 at a New Hanover County Democratic Party town hall.
Advanced from the Democratic primary without appearing on a ballot, as the only Democrat to file.
Endorsed by the National Association of Social Workers, the National Women's Political Caucus and Patriotic Millionaires.
Trailed the incumbent 43% to 49% in a Public Policy Polling survey released in August 2026.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Hardy by name could be found. Searched: her name with 'criticism', with 'opponent', against National Republican Congressional Committee material, against David Rouzer's campaign, and against Port City Daily, CityView, StarNews and WECT coverage. Because no case against her exists on the record, no case for her is presented either.
The August 2026 poll showing her within six points was conducted by a Democratic polling firm.
Her fundraising was not established from sources read.
Advanced from the Libertarian primary for North Carolina's 7th District and is on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
Abu-Ghazalah's biography and policy positions could not be established: no campaign website, candidate questionnaire or news profile covering him was located. The standsFor list is left empty rather than filled with guesses.
No published criticism of Abu-Ghazalah by name could be found, and no published case for him beyond the ballot listing.
His fundraising was not established from sources read.
Independent candidate for North Carolina's 7th District in the November 3, 2026 general election.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
Henry's biography and policy positions could not be established: no campaign website, candidate questionnaire or news profile covering him was located. The standsFor list is left empty rather than filled with guesses.
No published criticism of Henry by name could be found, and no published case for him beyond the ballot listing.
His fundraising was not established from sources read.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
North Carolina held its primary on March 3, 2026. Republican incumbent David Rouzer beat David Buzzard for renomination; Democrat Kimberly Hardy advanced without a primary ballot appearance as the only Democrat to file. Libertarian Maad Abu-Ghazalah and independent Michael Henry are also on the ballot. The district covers south-eastern North Carolina, including New Hanover, Brunswick and most of Cumberland County. A Public Policy Polling survey in August 2026 put Rouzer ahead 49% to 43%. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia and Port City Daily and CityView reporting. Criticism of Hardy, Abu-Ghazalah and Henry by name could not be found, so their entries carry no arguments in either column.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A North Carolina ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at North Carolina State Board of Elections.