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12th Congressional District · 2026 U.S. House · Unofficial result

U.S. House, 12th District: what did each candidate actually say they'd do?

IN PLAIN ENGLISH

Rep. Alma Adams (D) ran for re-election against Republican Jack Codiga. With all precincts reporting, Adams leads by 168,808 votes. Results are unofficial until certified. Check your own address on the NC State Board of Elections' voter lookup to confirm your district.

Adams leadsAll precincts reporting; unofficial until certified1
81.20%Adams (D)1
18.80%Codiga (R)1
168,808Vote margin of 270,536 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...Alma S. AdamsJack Codiga
Names a policy10 of 11
15 of 17
Says how they'd do it4 of 11
3 of 17
Includes a number or target2 of 11
1 of 17
Says how it's paid for1 of 11
0 of 17
Gives a timeline0 of 11
0 of 17
Points to a record10 of 11
0 of 17

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.

Alma S. AdamsDemocrat
Jack CodigaRepublican
Who they are
Alma S. Adams
U.S. Representative for the 12th District since 2014, by her own account.3 Some Issues-page text dates from an earlier term: it says the Momnibus is in "President Biden's Build Back Better Act which will now provide $1.1 billion"2. Her 4Hs + Labor page was used for record credit on matching issues.
Jack Codiga
Financial professional, by his own account.7 His campaign site is ihatepolitics.com. Each issue on his Platform page is a short summary with a "Read More" button; the full text is on the same page and was scored.
Guns
Alma S. Adams
Nothing on this topic
Jack Codiga
The Second Amendment Is Your Permit."States should not create burdensome legal hurdles just to carry a firearm." Also: "This does not mean civilians should have access to every weapon used by the military."6
Names a policy
Immigration and the border
Alma S. Adams
Nothing on this topic
Jack Codiga
Come Here, Become An American"We must limit work visas and effectively address illegal immigration" and "focuses on removing violent offenders and those exploiting government programs"6
Names a policy
Social Security, Medicare and seniors
Alma S. Adams
Seniors"I'll fight against any attempt to privatize Social Security or defund Medicare." Also: "Secured millions of dollars through community project funding for affordable housing developments across the Charlotte area."2
Names a policyPoints to a record
Jack Codiga
Independence > Dependence"we must reform and phase out all welfare programs, including Social Security" and "government healthcare, and government-backed mortgages."6
Names a policy
Health care
Alma S. Adams
Fighting for Better Healthcare"I continue to support a single-payer health care system and an expansion to tax credits to help citizens afford health insurance" Also: "Adams also voted for H.R. 6833, the Affordable Insulin Now Act, to cap out-of-pocket costs for insulin at no more than $35 a month."2, 4
Names a policyPoints to a record
Jack Codiga
Make Healthcare Healthy"We must eliminate administrative bloat and expose healthcare to real market forces like price transparency and competition." Also: "we must strip liability protection from vaccine manufacturers"6
Names a policy
Housing
Alma S. Adams
Housing and Homelessness"Adams is the primary sponsor on legislation to make it easier for coronavirus relief funds to be used for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits projects." Also: the LIFELINE Act "allows cities, counties, and states to use their Fiscal Recovery Fund dollars to maintain a robust pipeline of affordable housing developments."2
Names a policySays how they'd do itSays how it's paid forPoints to a record
Jack Codiga
Making Housing Boring Again"I would seek to eliminate tax incentives that treat homes more like investments than shelters. Zoning should be limited to genuine infrastructure or pollution concerns. I also support a nationwide ban on property taxes"6
Names a policy
Schools and education
Alma S. Adams
Improving Public Education and Higher Education"Adams opposes any school voucher program." Also: "she has introduced a resolution with Leader Chuck Schumer, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and Rep. Ayanna Pressley calling on the President to forgive $50,000 in student loan debt for every American."2
Names a policyIncludes a number or targetPoints to a record
Jack Codiga
A College Degree Shouldn't Be A Life Sentence"We must eliminate government-guaranteed student loans and allow borrowers to declare bankruptcy under existing law."6
Names a policy
Child care and families
Alma S. Adams
Standing Up For Women"I will always fight for a woman's right to choose and the right to privacy." Also: "Led the fight to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act to make it easier for women to know when they are being discriminated against and to prevent retaliation against women who ask questions about their pay in relation to their male colleagues."2
Names a policySays how they'd do itPoints to a record
Jack Codiga
Give Children A Chance"Procedures related to gender transition should not be available to individuals under 18, and public funds or government-backed insurance must not be used to support them." Also: "the right to life is a fundamental right that should be protected under the law in every state."6
Names a policyIncludes a number or target
Energy and environment
Alma S. Adams
Protecting Our Environment"Alma will always work to protect our land and water resources." Also: "supporting investments in more renewable energy sources and green technology"2
None of the six checks
Jack Codiga
Nothing on this topic
Technology and privacy
Alma S. Adams
Nothing on this topic
Jack Codiga
Your Phone Shouldn't Spy On You"Users should have the ability to opt out of sharing their personal information to access digital services." Also: "I support legislation that requires transparency in algorithms, including the ability for users to view content chronologically"6
Names a policy
Crime and public safety
Alma S. Adams
Combating Crime"Congress needs to ban certain high-powered assault weapons, close the gun show loophole, require background checks for purchases of firearms, and improve the tracking of firearms in our country." Also: "Secured $1.9 million in federal funds for community-centered violence and crime prevention programs in Charlotte"2
Names a policyPoints to a record
Jack Codiga
Equal Justice For All"Many places, including Charlotte, are struggling because some believe the government should provide different types of justice for different people."6
None of the six checks
Elections and voting
Alma S. Adams
Nothing on this topic
Jack Codiga
Honest Elections"America's federal election system must mandate voter ID and paper ballots at the federal level to ensure honest elections. Additionally, to improve accessibility, Election Day should be designated as a federal holiday."6
Names a policy
You Deserve To Vote For Someone You Like"A better approach is a majority-runoff system (used in many countries) where all candidates compete, a majority vote wins, or the top two move to a runoff" and "I support this for federal elections, while keeping the Electoral College for President."6
Names a policySays how they'd do it
Cut Back AIPAC's Influence"AIPAC and other domestic groups advocating for foreign-aligned policies must register as foreign agents, which would bar their participation in elections and ensure greater transparency around their contributions."6
Names a policy
Taxes, jobs and the economy
Alma S. Adams
Providing For Our Workers"The top priority must be expanding and strengthening our paid family leave laws in this country." Also: "She is a strong proponent of raising the minimum wage and indexing it to inflation" and, on her 4Hs + Labor page, "I reintroduced my Black Women's Equal Pay Resolution"2, 3
Names a policyPoints to a record
Jack Codiga
Simplify The Tax Code"Property tax & the income tax should be abolished" and "America should adopt simpler, consumption-based taxes and tariffs."6
Names a policy
Economic Security"America should prioritize a baseline of self-sufficiency, trade surplus goods, and exercise caution when dealing with essential goods and services"6
None of the six checks
Defense and foreign policy
Alma S. Adams
Strengthening The Middle Class"Supports giving more tax cuts to the middle class and raising the minimum wage" and "indexing it to the rate of inflation." Also: "Voted for the America Creating Opportunities for Manufacturing, Pre-Eminence in Technology, and Economic Strengthening (America COMPETES) Act (H.R. 4521)"2
Names a policyPoints to a record
Jack Codiga
Defend America First"Congress should authorize military action, except in urgent situations requiring immediate executive response."6
Names a policy
Rights and freedoms
Alma S. Adams
Fighting For Equal Rights and Equal Opportunities For All"Congress needs to rework Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 so that Section 5 (still existing) can be applicable." Also: "Alma voted for the Emmitt Till Anti-lynching Act"2
Names a policySays how they'd do itPoints to a record
Jack Codiga
Real Money, Real Freedom"we need to abolish the Federal Reserve and place oversight under the U.S. Treasury. We must return to a monetary system backed by something real like gold and silver. Additionally, we need to reform banking so that deposits are actually lent out, rather than multiplied through new money creation."6
Names a policySays how they'd do it
Other
Alma S. Adams
Eliminating Hunger and Reducing Poverty"Additionally, she introduced the Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2021, which would modernize the SNAP program and increase benefits by 30%." Also: "which raises the baseline benefit for all SNAP households"2, 3
Names a policySays how they'd do itIncludes a number or targetPoints to a record
Jack Codiga
You Don't Need A License To Cut Hair"Licenses should only be required for professions where severe direct or third-party harm is possible, such as drivers, truckers, or surgeons." and "States must carry the burden of proof for every licensing requirement they impose."6
Names a policySays how they'd do it
Their record
Alma S. Adams
  • Says she has served the 12th District in the U.S. House since 2014.3 Her About page says she served 20 and a half years in the North Carolina House before that.5
  • Says her FUTURE Act was signed into law in 2019 and her HBCUs Partners Act in 2020.3
  • Says her LIFELINE bill was adopted by the Treasury Department in 2023, granting over $8 billion for affordable housing.3
Jack Codiga
  • His site says he is "a fed-up financial professional."7 It points to no office held and no votes taken.
In their words
Alma S. Adams

"I have introduced bills, led letters, and fought to address housing affordability, hunger and food insecurity, expand access to healthcare, and strengthen education for students."

Alma Adams, campaign Home page4

"I will always be a champion for public schools, our teachers, our children and our Historically Black Colleges and Universities."

Alma Adams, campaign Home page4
Jack Codiga

"The real divide isn't left vs. right. It's freedom versus control."

Jack Codiga, campaign Home page7

"To have a truly free society, we need to stand up for both individual liberty and a governmental structure that works, but is restrained."

Jack Codiga, campaign Platform page6
Where we read it
Alma S. Adams
Website: almaadamsforcongress.com/issues/ (checked 11/5/2026)
Jack Codiga
Website: ihatepolitics.com/pages/platform (checked 11/5/2026)

The middle

Where they agree

  • Both say housing costs too much. Adams: "Demand for housing is exceeding the supply and the lack of affordable housing for many has become an epidemic."2 Codiga: "A single middle-class income once supported homeownership and sometimes even a vacation home."6
  • Both want voting to work for everyone. Adams: "take action to prevent voter disenfranchisement."2 Codiga: "it's essential that voting is both accessible and secure."6

Where they really split

  • Student debt: Adams backs a resolution to "forgive $50,000 in student loan debt for every American."2 Codiga: "We must eliminate government-guaranteed student loans and allow borrowers to declare bankruptcy under existing law."6
  • Social Security: Adams: "I'll fight against any attempt to privatize Social Security or defund Medicare."2 Codiga: "we must reform and phase out all welfare programs, including Social Security"6
  • Guns: Adams says Congress needs to "ban certain high-powered assault weapons."2 Codiga: "States should not create burdensome legal hurdles just to carry a firearm."6

What each one leaves out

  • Adams' Issues page spells out how on four of its eleven issues (pay equity, voting rights, hunger, housing) and gives no cost or deadline for any new proposal. Its Environment section names no policy. Some text is from an earlier term.2, 3
  • Codiga's Platform page spells out how on three of its seventeen issues (money, occupational licenses, runoff voting), names no cost or deadline, and points to no earlier office or votes.6, 7
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. Alma Adams campaign, Issues: almaadamsforcongress.com/issues/
  3. Alma Adams campaign, 4Hs + Labor: almaadamsforcongress.com/4hs-labor/
  4. Alma Adams campaign, Home: almaadamsforcongress.com/
  5. Alma Adams campaign, About Alma: almaadamsforcongress.com/about-alma/
  6. Jack Codiga campaign, Platform: ihatepolitics.com/pages/platform
  7. Jack Codiga campaign, Home: ihatepolitics.com/