Democratic NC challenger looks to bring military experience to Congress
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
The Nov. 3, 2026, election for U.S. House of Representatives District 9 features candidates Richard Hudson, the incumbent, and Richard Ojeda. The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer asked all candidates in this race to complete a questionnaire to inform voters about their opinions on big issues facing voters. Hudson did not complete the questionnaire.
Read more Judge: Sun Drop murders suspect may not be fit for trial, orders an evaluation
Political party: Democrat
Age as of Nov. 3, 2026: 56
Campaign website: ojedafornc.com
Current occupation: Retired military
Professional experience: I served 24 years in the United States Army with multiple combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. I spent 15 of those years at Fort Bragg. After retiring, I moved to West Virginia to be near my aging parents. While I was there, I served in the West Virginia State Senate, where I fought for working families, veterans, and teachers. I’ve built my career around leadership and public service, whether leading soldiers in combat or advocating and working for working people.
Education: BA from West Virginia State University in General Studies, Masters from Webster University in Business and Organizational Security.
Please list any notable government or civic involvement.: I served in the West Virginia State Senate, where I focused on helping working families, veterans, educators, and rural communities. After spending 24 years in the U.S. Army, I retired and have continued to fight for veterans, a government that works for working people, and strengthening working class communities. I have also been a leader in public service and grassroots organizing at the local, state, and national levels.
What do you see as the most important issue that you would have control over if you win, and what is your position on it?: Lowering costs for working people. People are paying more for electricity, health care, medicine, groceries, and gas while the wealthy keep getting richer. I’m sick and tired of working people getting sold out. In Congress, I’ll fight to protect access to affordable health care, lower prescription drug and energy costs, and bring more of our tax dollars home to invest in our communities instead of wasting them on forever wars. Working people have carried this country on their backs long enough.
One of the roles of Congress is oversight. What do you believe needs to be investigated?: Congress needs to investigate the influence of corporate money in Congress. Pharmaceutical and insurance companies pour money into politics and Congress turns around and passes policies that benefit those industries while families pay more for health care and prescription drugs. The American people deserve to know why. The same thing goes for massive tax breaks for industries like data centers when working families are worried about their electricity bills.
Read more Charlotte airport workers union goes on strike Wednesday, citing workplace safety
Do you agree with the tactics currently being used by immigration officials, and if not, what would you want to require them to do differently?: No. I spent 24 years in the Army defending the Constitution. I’m not going to sit quietly while masked federal agents act like it doesn’t apply to them. I support securing our border and enforcing our immigration laws. What I don’t support is using immigration enforcement as an excuse to intimidate communities or deny people due process. If you’re going to carry a badge and exercise the power of the US government, show your face, follow the Constitution, and be accountable for your actions.
Do you think the economy is getting better or worse in your district, and how?: Worse! Regular gas is averaging about $4.15 a gallon. A year ago, it was about $2.73. Diesel is now more than $6 a gallon. Meanwhile, Washington keeps finding money for wars overseas and tax breaks for billionaires while we are told to suck it up and pay more. I measure how well our economy is doing by whether somebody working a full-time job can pay their bills and still have something left at the end of the month. Right now, too many families can’t.
What, if anything, would you change about how elections are run?: Getting big money out of our elections! Right now, corporations, billionaires, and special interests pour billions into our elections, and working people pay the price. I’m sick and tired of politicians taking massive checks from pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies, defense contractors, and other corporate interests and then pretending it has nothing to do with how they vote. Elections belong to the American people, not to the person or company with the biggest bank account.
Did you use AI to answer any of these questions?: No
This story was originally published October 14, 2026 at 4:38 PM with the headline “Democratic NC challenger looks to bring military experience to Congress.”
Read more Giant iron ‘Death Star’ found by demolition crew in North Carolina. What is it?
