Challengers to Republican congressional incumbent on oversight, Iran war
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The Nov. 3, 2026, election for the U.S. House of Representatives District 5 features candidates Virginia Foxx, the incumbent; Chuck Hubbard; and Robert Luffman. 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. Foxx did not complete the questionnaire.
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Political party: Democrat
Age as of Nov. 3, 2026: 64
Campaign website: HubbardForCongress.com
Current occupation: Retired/Former Reporter/Publisher
Professional experience: 40+ years as a reporter and publisher of the Wilkes Journal-Patriot
Education: Wilkes Central High School, Wofford College
Please list any notable government or civic involvement.: Board Member, Wilkes Recovery Revolution, Member, Wilkes Child Abuse Prevention Team, Member, Wilkes Prison Ministry
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?: The most important issue facing our district is rising costs and inflation. Right now, the cost of gas and groceries is rising, wages aren’t keeping up with inflation, and our small businesses can’t compete with the corporations. We need to address key issues now that will help lower our costs, such as ending this unnecessary war with Iran to lower gas and grocery prices and prioritize supporting smaller businesses rather than big corporations.
One of the roles of Congress is oversight. What do you believe needs to be investigated?: Many issues in Congress require investigation. I’d like to start by looking into who’s taking advantage of information for stock trading, propose a ban on leaders in Congress trading stocks then push for a full release of the Epstein Files. Washington needs to make a greater effort to address corruption rather than keeping things sealed.
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?: I do not support the tactics the Trump administration has used in immigration enforcement. The conduct we’re seeing from ICE is despicable. These tactics aren’t contributing to public safety but are sparking fear among many. People, regardless of legal status, are losing trust in the administration’s ability to enforce immigration laws humanely. Congress should hold the Trump administration accountable and more training needs to be provided to field agents.
Do you think the economy is getting better or worse in your district, and how?: I recognize that families in our district are facing tough times. The Big Beautiful Bill impacted our district a lot. It put many vulnerable people, like our elderly and disabled residents, in positions where they needed to choose between paying for lifesaving care or buying food. Meanwhile, young people are struggling to find jobs that pay a livable wage so they can raise a family. Currently, Congress isn’t addressing the factors that could alleviate many of these issues.
What, if anything, would you change about how elections are run?: Billionaires and mega corporations heavily influence our elections right now. We’re seeing campaigns across the country funded by dark money because of Citizens United. If we overturn Citizens United, we could return our elections to everyday people and prevent billions of dollars from influencing our most important elections.
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Did you use AI to answer any of these questions?: No
Political party: Libertarian
Age as of Nov. 3, 2026: 46
Campaign website: www.luffmanforcongress.com
Current occupation: Owner/Operator Truck Driver and Photographer
Professional experience: 27 years of truck driving.
Education: Some community college
Please list any notable government or civic involvement.: Volunteering where I can for disaster relief, and photographing community events for charities. I’ve worked with NC’s Baptists on Mission, supply distribution at North Wilkesboro Speedway after Helene, photographer for Elkin Juneteenth festival for several years, photographed local events for Speedway children’s charities.
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?: Limiting and downsizing the federal government to produce more individual freedoms and liberties.
One of the roles of Congress is oversight. What do you believe needs to be investigated?: Congress needs to be investigated. End insider trading. End foreign government monetary influence in our elections. Term limits. Give the power back to the people.
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?: I would look to holding the executive branch liable for enforcing the laws passed by Congress uniformly, no matter who is in office. We are currently living in a time when the enforcement is brash and sometimes violent. Last POTUS didn’t seem to enforce the laws much at all. Obama enforced the laws but was not brazen like what we see today.
Do you think the economy is getting better or worse in your district, and how?: Worse. It seems to be very lackluster compared to the first Trump term. I’m a blue collar working guy. 2017-2020 was a steamroller economy. I think people thought they were getting the same thing again this term, but have not. Now with the Iran conflict and cost of fuel, it makes things that much worse.
What, if anything, would you change about how elections are run?: As far as NC is concerned, not much. I believe we have an extremely fair system every time I have ever voted. My wife and I always vote early, since we are usually working on election day. The only thing I would change, if it is not so, is to make ID’s for voting readily available for those that need them, free of charge.
Did you use AI to answer any of these questions?: Absolutely not.
This story was originally published October 14, 2026 at 1:07 PM with the headline “Challengers to Republican congressional incumbent on oversight, Iran war.”
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