Who's running in North Carolina's 9th congressional district
3 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.
3 candidates · ballot order · Richard Hudson 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.
The House Republican campaign and legislative agenda, as NRCC chairman.
Support for Israel; he is endorsed by AIPAC.
Second Amendment rights, an area he has legislated on.
Fort Bragg and military families in a district with a large service population.
Reducing the size of the federal workforce, including through the Department of Government Efficiency review.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative since January 2013; re-elected in 2024 with 56.3%, beating Nigel Bristow by about nineteen points.
Re-elected chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee for the 2026 cycle in November 2024.
Endorsed by President Trump.
Arguments in favor
President Trump endorsed his re-election, and AIPAC has endorsed him.
— President Donald Trump; AIPAC
His campaign points to the NRCC chairmanship, which makes him the fifth-ranking House Republican and the most senior North Carolina Republican ever in Congress.
— The Hudson campaign
Arguments against
His Democratic opponent, a retired Army major, says Hudson's support for the Department of Government Efficiency and for a bill that cut thousands of Veterans Affairs jobs betrayed veterans and military families in a district built around Fort Bragg.
— Richard Ojeda, his Democratic opponent
National Democrats added the district to their target list in August 2026, and reporting noted that mid-decade redistricting may have made the Fayetteville-area seat closer than its past results suggest.
Protecting veterans and military families, and opposing cuts to Veterans Affairs staffing.
Opposition to the Department of Government Efficiency's federal job reductions.
Working-class economic policy, the theme of his political career in West Virginia.
Reducing the influence of money in politics; he is endorsed by Patriotic Millionaires.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Retired U.S. Army major; former West Virginia state senator; briefly a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2018 and 2019.
Beat Nigel Bristow, Loren Bibler and Lent Carr II in the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary.
Raised $1.2 million as of October 2025, according to Axios.
Added to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's Districts in Play list in August 2026.
Arguments in favor
The House Democratic campaign committee put this district on its target list and he had raised $1.2 million by late 2025, unusual money and attention for a challenge to a member who won by nineteen points.
— Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee; fundraising reported by Axios
Arguments against
A 2022 video resurfaced in which he said of White House adviser Stephen Miller that he would be willing to go to jail for attacking him, calling him a worm and describing beating him through five floors of a building. A Trump campaign spokesman said it showed Democrats supporting political violence.
— Kush Desai, Trump campaign spokesman, on the resurfaced recording
What we couldn’t verify
Ojeda's own response to the resurfaced remarks was not established from sources read.
The polling he has cited showing the race statistically tied is his campaign's; independent polling of the district was not located.
His positions on federal questions beyond veterans and federal employment were not established.
Independent candidate for North Carolina's 9th District in the November 3, 2026 general election; registered with the Federal Election Commission.
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
Hunter-Herod's biography and policy positions could not be established: no campaign website, candidate questionnaire or news profile covering her was located. The standsFor list is left empty rather than filled with guesses.
No published criticism of Hunter-Herod by name could be found, and no published case for her beyond the ballot listing.
Her 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 Richard Hudson, who chairs the National Republican Congressional Committee, was unopposed for renomination; Democrat Richard Ojeda beat three opponents. Independent Tita Hunter-Herod is also on the ballot. The district covers Alamance, Hoke, Moore and Randolph counties, most of Chatham and Guilford, and part of north-west Cumberland. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added the seat to its Districts in Play list in August 2026, an unusual reach against a member who won by nineteen points in 2024. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia and NC Newsline and CityView reporting. Criticism of Hunter-Herod by name could not be found, so her entry carries 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.