Two NC challengers’ views on immigration, ‘forever wars’ and the economy

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The Nov. 3, 2026, election for U.S. House of Representatives District 7 features candidates Maad Abu-Ghazalah, Kimberly Hardy and David Rouzer, the incumbent. 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. Rouzer did not reply to the questionnaire.

Political party: Libertarian

Age as of Nov. 3, 2026: 64

Campaign website: getmaad.org

Current occupation: Software consultant

Professional experience: Small business owner for 30 years

Education: Bachelors of Science in Mathematics from Notre Dame, Masters of Science in Computer Science from the University of Virginia and a law degree from Santa Clara University.

Please list any notable government or civic involvement.: Ran for U.S. Congress in 2002 and 2004 on an anti-war, pro-civil liberties platform.

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?: Balancing the budget and reducing the debt. I would end all forever wars and confine our military budget to actually protecting America, rather than meddling with military influence overseas. I would also try to transition entitlements to be handled at the local level instead of in Washington.

One of the roles of Congress is oversight. What do you believe needs to be investigated?: The two main areas that need to be investigated are profiteering by our government based on insider information and the inordinate impact of foreign and corporate lobbyist campaign funding on legislation.

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 do not agree with the physical brutality used by ICE officers. I believe no one should be allowed to stay in the country illegally. But, the entire matter should be handled as a civil violation, not as if it were a violent crime.

Do you think the economy is getting better or worse in your district, and how?: It’s getting worse. The cost of living is greatly increasing while wages remain stagnant, which is requiring many in the district to get second jobs or work longer hours.

What, if anything, would you change about how elections are run?: I would like to make sure there is always a paper trail of each vote. Also, I would reduce the amount of obstacles that are placed on third party candidates from running.

Did you use AI to answer any of these questions?: No, I didn’t. All my answers were in my own words based on my own knowledge and opinions. I believe the use of AI to answer this survey would betray a lack of honesty and undermine the trust the voters have in their public servants. While on the subject of AI, I would like to express my strong opposition to subsidizing data centers in any way. Forcing consumers to pay higher fees to subsidize the expansion of the electrical grid on behalf of data centers is not acceptable. Nor is the large volume of water contaminated in order to keep them running. I am not against AI being used as a tool, but I am concerned that the data centers are being used to expand the surveillance of private citizens.

Political party: Democrat

Age as of Nov. 3, 2026: 55

Campaign website: https://www.kimberlyhardyforcongress.com/

Current occupation: Associate professor of social work.

Professional experience: Social work professor, former school social worker.

Education: Doctorate and Bachelors in Social Work from Morgan State University; Masters in Social Work from the Ohio State University

Please list any notable government or civic involvement.: 2nd Vice Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party; 2nd Vice President of the Democratic Women of North Carolina; Board Member of Lillian’s List; Past Chair of Sweet Tea Shakespeare Company; Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated.

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 Republican Congress has put major cuts into the budget, into food assistance, into being able to afford health insurance and prescription drugs, all to pay for additional tax breaks for billionaires. Many of these are going to hit early next year. We need to roll these back and invest it back into working people.

One of the roles of Congress is oversight. What do you believe needs to be investigated?: One of the most important things Congress can do is investigate anyone who profits off of being in public office. Corruption is toxic.

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 am horrified by the treatment of people who had been living here with legal status, by the lack of accountability for migrants and U.S. citizens killed by immigration officials. Immigrants paid over $96 billion in taxes in 2022. We need secure borders and manageable immigration laws, including a path to citizenship for people who have been working hard and living here peacefully.

Do you think the economy is getting better or worse in your district, and how?: High gas and diesel prices have hit southeast North Carolina particularly hard. Too many people are working two or three jobs to be able to keep a roof over their heads, are having to stretch out their medicine. We need real opportunity, including for our young people and entrepreneurs.

What, if anything, would you change about how elections are run?: As someone who had my vote challenged in 2024, I want to make it as easy as possible for every person who can legally vote to do so. I also support a ban on partisan gerrymandering and a constitutional amendment to limit corporate spending on campaigns.

Did you use AI to answer any of these questions?: No AI was used in these responses.

This story was originally published October 10, 2026 at 11:16 AM with the headline “Two NC challengers’ views on immigration, ‘forever wars’ and the economy.”