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9th Congressional District · 2026 U.S. House · Unofficial result

U.S. House, 9th District: what did each candidate actually say they'd do?

IN PLAIN ENGLISH

Rep. Richard Hudson (R) ran for re-election against Richard Ojeda (D), a retired Army major. Only the two were on the general-election ballot. With 100% of precincts reporting, Ojeda leads by 6,015 votes, and Hudson's campaign site says "I called to congratulate Richard Ojeda on his victory."22 The count is unofficial until certified. Check your own address on the NC State Board of Elections voter lookup to confirm your district.

Ojeda leadsHudson conceded; 100% of precincts reporting; unofficial until certified1, 22
51.11%Ojeda (D): 138,7071
48.89%Hudson (R): 132,6921
6,015Vote margin of 271,399 cast1

Do they have a plan?

We read every issue on each candidate's own website and checked the same six things for every one. We count what's there. We don't grade whether the ideas are good. Read the full scoring rules

Of the issues on their website, how many...Richard HudsonRichard N. Ojeda II
Names a policy7 of 9
8 of 8
Says how they'd do it0 of 9
2 of 8
Includes a number or target0 of 9
1 of 8
Says how it's paid for0 of 9
0 of 8
Gives a timeline0 of 9
0 of 8
Points to a record4 of 9
0 of 8

The candidates, side by side

Each topic shows every candidate's own words on it, in alphabetical order, from their own website. "Nothing on this topic" means their site doesn't cover it. Topic rows are grouped by us from their headings; the scores don't change.

Richard HudsonRepublican
Richard N. Ojeda IIDemocrat
Who they are
Richard Hudson
Incumbent, in Congress since 2013 by his own account. His Issues pages carry post dates from 2015 to 2021 and call the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act recent. Scored as posted.
Richard N. Ojeda II
Retired Army major, by his own account.
Abortion
Richard Hudson
Life"He has championed the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act and fought to keep longstanding Hyde Amendment protections that prohibit tax dollars from funding abortions."20
Names a policy
Richard N. Ojeda II
Nothing on this topic
Guns
Richard Hudson
Protecting the 2nd Amendment"Richard continues to fight to expand concealed carry reciprocity and ensure law-abiding concealed carry permit holders do not become criminals when crossing an invisible state line." Also: "Richard has successfully defended against efforts to ban green tip ammunition, overreaching gun control bills"17
Names a policyPoints to a record
Richard N. Ojeda II
Nothing on this topic
Immigration and the border
Richard Hudson
Protecting Our Border and Community"finish securing our border with wall and technology, reinstate border policies that have worked like 'Remain in Mexico,'"12
Names a policy
Richard N. Ojeda II
Fixing Our Broken Immigration System"Replace ICE with an accountable and lawful immigration enforcement system." Also: "People who have worked here for decades, raised families here, and broken no other laws should have a path that involves accountability, not a permanent underclass."7
Names a policy
Veterans
Richard Hudson
Veterans"He's also introduced the Care for the Veteran Caregiver Act to make sure veteran caregivers have the support they deserve." Also: "In Congress, Richard helped pass the biggest budget for the VA in history."15
Names a policyPoints to a record
Richard N. Ojeda II
Fighting for Veterans"Stop the assault on the VA workforce from politicians like Richard Hudson" and "Protect pensions and benefits veterans have already earned." Also: "I will oppose any attempt to cut military pensions or disability benefits."2
Names a policy
Social Security, Medicare and seniors
Richard Hudson
Nothing on this topic
Richard N. Ojeda II
Saving Social Security"Oppose raising the retirement age or privatizing the system." Also: "I will make the billionaire class pay their fair share, close tax loopholes, and ensure the program is fully funded so future generations can count on it."9
Names a policy
Health care
Richard Hudson
Health Care"Bolstering health savings accounts and allowing their use with high deductible plans." Also: "He introduced the Commitment to Defeat the Virus and Keep America Health Act to strengthen our national PPE stockpile and expand future vaccine development." (as published)14
Names a policyPoints to a record
Richard N. Ojeda II
Ensuring Quality Healthcare"I will expand Medicaid, lower costs, and make sure healthcare is based on need, not net worth." Also: "I will codify Roe v. Wade, protect the right to choose, and defend access to birth control, cancer screenings, and prenatal care." On cost: "Instead of tax breaks for billionaires, I will fight to invest in Medicaid, Medicare, and hospitals so families get care without crushing debt."4
Names a policy
Investing in North Carolina"I will work to expand Medicaid, keep rural hospitals open, and stop politicians from ripping coverage away."5
Names a policy
Schools and education
Richard Hudson
Nothing on this topic
Richard N. Ojeda II
Protecting Education"Pass legislation like the Pay Teachers Act and raise the national pay scale to at least 60k per year." Also: "I will sponsor legislation like the Pay Teachers Act, a bill that raises the national teacher pay scale to at least $60,000.00 per year because they deserve it."3
Names a policySays how they'd do itIncludes a number or target
Child care and families
Richard Hudson
Nothing on this topic
Richard N. Ojeda II
Standing Up for Working Families"Raising the federal minimum wage will give families stability and restore dignity to the work that keeps this country alive." Also: "These laws were written to weaken workers. Repealing them will allow unions to bargain for fair wages, safe conditions, and the dignity every worker deserves." (on Right to Work laws)8
Names a policy
Energy and environment
Richard Hudson
Environment"He has led efforts to address PFAS chemicals including GenX, which has impacted the Cape Fear River region. Richard is also a founding member of the Conservative Climate Caucus, working to champion free-market ideas to reduce emissions."13
None of the six checks
Richard N. Ojeda II
Protecting Our Land and Water"Make the polluters pay for the cleanup instead of the ratepayers. That means enforceable limits with real penalties, federal money for utilities to install treatment, and free testing for families on private wells who have no idea what they are drinking." Also: "I will vote against every attempt to hand them over." (public land sales)6
Names a policySays how they'd do it
Budget, debt and spending
Richard Hudson
Cutting Spending"That's why Richard has pledged to not increase taxes as a Member of Congress."19
None of the six checks
Richard N. Ojeda II
Nothing on this topic
Taxes, jobs and the economy
Richard Hudson
Creating Jobs"cutting taxes, reducing excessive regulations, and fully funding worker retraining programs at our community colleges"18
Names a policy
Richard N. Ojeda II
Nothing on this topic
Defense and foreign policy
Richard Hudson
Military & Soldiers"Richard helped get the Rich Stayskal Act signed into law to allow service members to pursue medical malpractice claims in the military." Also: "he secured increased funding for the Impact Aid program that supports schools near military bases"16
Names a policyPoints to a record
Richard N. Ojeda II
Nothing on this topic
Their record
Richard Hudson
  • Says he has represented North Carolina in Congress since 2013.21 His Veterans, Military and Health Care pages name bills he says he introduced or helped pass.15, 16, 14
Richard N. Ojeda II
  • Spent 24 years in the U.S. Army, by his own account.10 Says "he ran for the State Senate" and won, and credits himself with "passing medical cannabis legislation".10 The site does not say which state or give bill names.
In their words
Richard Hudson

"Representing the people of North Carolina has been the honor of my life."

Richard Hudson, election-night statement, 11/4/202622

"Whatever the future holds, I will keep fighting for those principles and for the people who believe in commonsense, conservative policies that will save our country and make the lives of the American people better."

Richard Hudson, election-night statement, 11/4/202622
Richard N. Ojeda II

"Voting isn't just about picking a name. It's about choosing someone who will fight for you, listen to your story, and stand up for what matters in North Carolina."

Richard Ojeda, campaign home page11

"Healthcare decisions belong to patients and their doctors, not politicians."

Richard Ojeda, campaign site, healthcare page4
Where we read it
Richard Hudson
Website: richardhudson.org/issues/ (checked 11/5/2026)
Richard N. Ojeda II
Website: ojedafornc.com/policies/ (checked 11/5/2026)

The middle

Where they agree

  • Both put veterans' care on their issue lists. Ojeda: "Veterans deserve more than words."2 Hudson: "Richard is committed to caring for these veterans who have sacrificed and served our country."15
  • Both name PFAS chemicals. Ojeda: "Hold polluters accountable for PFAS and every other chemical they have put in our rivers and wells."6 Hudson: "He has led efforts to address PFAS chemicals including GenX"13
  • Both say they want a secure border. Ojeda: "I do not accept the idea that we have to choose between a secure border and a lawful government."7 Hudson: "Richard is committed to securing our border and protecting our community"12

Where they really split

  • Abortion: Ojeda: "I will codify Roe v. Wade, protect the right to choose, and defend access to birth control, cancer screenings, and prenatal care."4 Hudson: "Richard is 100% Pro-Life and fights for legislation which protects life from conception until natural death."20
  • Health care: Ojeda: "I will expand Medicaid, lower costs, and make sure healthcare is based on need, not net worth."4 Hudson's priority is "dismantling the top-down, government-heavy approach of the Affordable Care Act"14
  • Immigration enforcement: Ojeda: "Replace ICE with an accountable and lawful immigration enforcement system."7 Hudson: "finish securing our border with wall and technology"12

What each one leaves out

  • Ojeda spells out how on two of his eight issues (education, and land and water), gives a number on one (the $60,000 teacher pay floor), and names no timeline or funding source on any. Asked how healthcare would be paid for, his page points to "Instead of tax breaks for billionaires" and names no program or amount.3, 6, 4
  • Hudson's nine issue pages name a policy on seven, point to a bill or law he says he sponsored or passed on four, and spell out how, give a number, name a funding source or set a date on none. The pages are dated 2015 to 2021.23
Sources (checked 11/5/2026)
  1. NC State Board of Elections results, statewide, unofficial (100% of precincts reporting, last county upload Nov 4, 2026 4:13 PM): er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/03/2026&county_id=0&office=FED&contest=0
  2. Richard Ojeda campaign, Fighting for Veterans: ojedafornc.com/fighting-for-veterans/
  3. Richard Ojeda campaign, Protecting Education: ojedafornc.com/protecting-education/
  4. Richard Ojeda campaign, Ensuring Quality Healthcare: ojedafornc.com/ensuring-quality-healthcare/
  5. Richard Ojeda campaign, Investing in North Carolina: ojedafornc.com/standing-up-for-north-carolina/
  6. Richard Ojeda campaign, Protecting Our Land and Water: ojedafornc.com/environment/
  7. Richard Ojeda campaign, Fixing Our Broken Immigration System: ojedafornc.com/immigration/
  8. Richard Ojeda campaign, Standing Up for Working Families: ojedafornc.com/standing-up-for-working-families/
  9. Richard Ojeda campaign, Saving Social Security: ojedafornc.com/saving-social-security-2/
  10. Richard Ojeda campaign, About: ojedafornc.com/about-richard-ojeda/
  11. Richard Ojeda campaign, Home: ojedafornc.com/
  12. Richard Hudson campaign, Protecting Our Border and Community: richardhudson.org/protecting-our-border-and-community/
  13. Richard Hudson campaign, Environment: richardhudson.org/environment/
  14. Richard Hudson campaign, Health Care: richardhudson.org/health-care/
  15. Richard Hudson campaign, Veterans: richardhudson.org/veterans/
  16. Richard Hudson campaign, Military & Soldiers: richardhudson.org/military-soldiers/
  17. Richard Hudson campaign, Protecting the 2nd Amendment: richardhudson.org/protecting-the-2nd-amendment/
  18. Richard Hudson campaign, Creating Jobs: richardhudson.org/jobs/
  19. Richard Hudson campaign, Cutting Spending: richardhudson.org/cutting-spending/
  20. Richard Hudson campaign, Life: richardhudson.org/life/
  21. Richard Hudson campaign, Meet Richard Hudson: richardhudson.org/about/
  22. Richard Hudson campaign, election-night statement, 11/4/2026: richardhudson.org/election-night-results-2/
  23. Richard Hudson campaign, Issues list: richardhudson.org/issues/