Hudson Announces Reelection Bid for Congress
STAFF REPORT
With newly drawn congressional maps keeping his district leaning safely Republican, U.S. Richard Hudson announced this week he will seek re-election.
Hudson, who lives in Southern Pines, represents District 9, which extends as far north as the Guilford-Rockingham County line and as far south as the Hoke-Robeson county line. The district includes all of Moore, Randolph, Hoke and Alamance counties and parts of Chatham, Cumberland and Guilford counties.
A Republican, Hudson was first elected to Congress in 2013. He already has amassed a solid campaign fund, with $2.1 million cash on hand. He reported raising $540,000 in the last quarter alone.
“As your Congressman, I am proud to have worked alongside President Donald Trump to make America the most prosperous and safe country on Earth,” said Hudson. “But Joe Biden’s failed leadership is destroying all of that work. I want to continue fighting for our men and women in uniform, veterans, parents’ rights, farmers, the Second Amendment, and small businesses.
“You can also count on me to stand up to out-of-control spending and the failed policies of President Biden that have made us less safe, less prosperous and less free.
“I look forward to remaining the Sandhills’ Congressman and again earning the support of the people of the 9th District.”
Hudon is also chairman of the powerful National Republican Congressional Committee, which works to raise money across the country to elect Republicans to the U.S. House. Normally, that post would be fourth in line to be Speaker of the House, but recent turmoil among House Republicans trying to appoint a new Speaker after ousting Rep. Kevin McCarthy upset long established leadership notions. Hudson’s name did not surface as a speaker candidate.
NC’s Hudson elected to chair National Republican Congressional Committee
The Carolina Journal
Rep. Richard Hudson, R-NC, was elected Tuesday to lead the National Republican Congressional Committee. A news release from Hudson says his new role makes him the highest-ranking Republican member of Congress from North Carolina in history.
“I am honored by the unanimous support of my colleagues to lead the NRCC,” said Hudson in a press release Tuesday. “The American people have just entrusted House Republicans with a majority to be the last line of defense in stopping the disastrous Biden administration and saving our country from out-of-control spending, inflation, energy prices, crime, and an open southern border. Working together with our leadership team and entire conference, I am confident we can build on our successes and learn from missed opportunities to expand our majority in 2024.”
This position also places Hudson fourth in line to the Speakership.
Hudson was first elected to the U.S. House in 2012 and won re-election last week by defeating Democrat challenger Ben Clark by 56.7% percent to 43.3%. He was first elected to House Republican leadership as Conference Secretary in the 117th Congress.
Hudson’s election comes as Republicans in the U.S. House vote on leadership this week. In what sources told Reuters was a 188-31 vote, the Republican Caucus in the U.S. House elected Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., to be the next speaker and Steve Scalise, R-La., to be the next Majority Leader.
Late Tuesday Republican Kevin Kiley in California’s third congressional district was projected to win his race, pushing Republicans over the 2018 seat threshold to be the majority party in the House. That race has not been officially called as of Wednesday morning, along with another nine races across the country where ballots are still being counted.
Richard Hudson ‘hopeful, optimistic’ heading into his 6th term as NC congressman
by: Russ Bowen
CBS17.com
Posted: Nov 16, 2022
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Ready to tackle inflation and fresh off winning a sixth term in congress, U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson (R) says his top priority is inflation and funding for veteran services.
He has represented North Carolina’s District 8 since 2013, which includes Fort Bragg.
“Going into this winter, I’m really worried about folks having to make tough decisions between heating their homes and food and medicine,” said Hudson.
Republicans will have a narrow majority in the U.S. House while Democrats control the Senate and the White House. Will a GOP legislative agenda see the end of President Biden’s pen?
“I’m actually optimistic. I think you can get a lot of big things done in divided government because you get to share the blame as well as sharing the credit,” Hudson said.
In his next term, Hudson will be the highest-ranking Republican member of congress from North Carolina in history.
He was also just voted to chair the National Republican Congressional Committee. That brings with it a powerful voice from our state. One that will have to be heard as a voice of compromise across the aisle to get anything done.
“I’m hopeful that we can get a compromise that secures the border with the President. I think on energy there are some philosophical differences. I think there’s plenty of room to compromise if we could focus on what’s actually going to have an impact on the environment rather than just targeting fossil fuels,” said Hudson.
Americans have not forgotten the lack of readiness for the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s another topic Hudson believes both sides can agree on.
“I’m also the Republican lead on pandemic preparedness and we’ve got a big authorization that has to be done by the end of September and so I think there’s a lot of work on preparing for the next pandemic that we can do in a bi-partisan way,” he said.
Hudson Re-Elected for Sixth Term to Congress
By Jonathan Bym
The Pilot
Nov 8, 2022
Republican U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson was re-elected to a sixth term representing the 9th Congressional District, with all but 12 precincts still out as of 10:15 p.m., according to complete, but unofficial returns announced late Tuesday evening.
Hudson claimed the congressional seat by a more than 30,000-vote margin over Democratic challenger Ben Clark, securing 56.7 percent of the vote.
“Renee and I appreciate the outpouring of support throughout this campaign and I am honored for the opportunity to continue serving our community” said Rep. Hudson in a statement following the results being complete. “I now look forward to following through on our ‘Commitment to America’ to work towards an economy that’s strong, a nation that’s safe, a future built on freedom, and a government that’s accountable. As Fort Bragg’s Congressman, I will also continue to work every day for our veterans, our troops and their families.”
After Moore County was split between Hudson’s former 8th congressional district and the 9th district last election, Moore was fully encompassed in the 9th congressional district for this election, along with Cumberland, Lee, Richmond, Scotland, Harnett, Chatham and Randolph counties.
Hudson relocated from Concord to Southern Pines to represent the 9th district and continue to remain Fort Bragg’s representative in Congress.
In Moore County, Hudson garnered more than 66 percent of the vote with all 26 precincts reporting for this race at press time.
Hudson returns to Washington after serving on the House Energy and Commerce Committee last term.
During the campaign Hudson said that inflation, gas prices and safety were his areas of focus when returning to Capitol Hill for the next term. In the past, he has supported millions of dollars in federal investments to North Carolina for roads, airports, broadband access and other infrastructure.
Hudson touts the “Commitment to America” plan that House Republicans are looking to implement for the next term.
“Our plan includes common-sense measures we can begin implementing right away like cutting spending, boosting American energy production, securing the border, hiring more police officers, and protecting our constitutional freedoms like the Second Amendment,” Hudson said during his campaign
Former State Sen. Clark, who is from Fayetteville and currently lives in Raeford, had previously represented a pocket of Moore County in the state senate before making his run for a congressional seat
The Moore County Board of Elections can still accept and count ballots until Nov. 12 if they are postmarked by 5 p.m. Nov. 3.
The Moore County Board of Elections is currently scheduled to review and approve final election results Friday, Nov. 13.
https://www.thepilot.com/news/hudson-re-elected-for-sixth-term-to-congress/article_2acaa202-5fdb-11ed-8239-63504120cbe6.html
Hudson wins 9th District GOP primary, will face Clark in November
By William R. Toler
The Richmond Observer
ROCKINGHAM — Congressman Richard Hudson defeated three challengers in Tuesday’s Republican primary election for the 9th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Records from the North Carolina Board of Elections show Hudson carried more than 70% of every county in the newly drawn district, which now comprises Scotland, Hoke, Lee, Chatham and Randolph counties in addition to northwest Cumberland, western Harnett and a sliver of eastern Richmond.
“I am grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support shown to me tonight,” Hudson said in a statement released Tuesday night. “Renee and I look forward to the work ahead earning the chance to represent all people in our community for the next two years. Under one-party rule, the country is on the wrong track. But together, we can restore common sense, conservative leadership.”
Hudson received 383 votes in Richmond County — 156 from one-stop early voting and one from an absentee ballot — for 86.85% of the vote, according to the Richmond County Board of Elections. Overall, Hudson garnered 37,972 votes.
Even with Fort Bragg in the district, Hudson beat out Army veteran Francisco Rios of Charlotte, who was stationed at the base while in the 82nd Airborne Division.
Records show Rios had 1,866 votes throughout the district — the fewest of all the candidates.
Asheboro’s Jen Bucardo had the second-highest number of votes overall with 4,153 and performed the best in her home county of Randolph with 12.8% of the vote there.
The other challenger, Mike Adriani of Fayetteville, had 3,931 total votes, pulling in 11.95% in Chatham County, 8.17% in Lee, 11.77% in Harnett, 9.61% in Hoke, 8.49% in Cumberland, 7.08% in Scotland and 8.16% in Richmond.
Hudson, who has represented Richmond County in the past, and Rios both live outside the district.Advertisements
The U.S. Constitution allows for members of the U.S. House of Representatives to not live in the district they represent. During a special election several years ago for the 9th District, half of the 10 Republicans in the primary were outside the district.
Hudson will go on to face state Sen. Ben Clark, D-Hoke.
According to the biography on Clark’s campaign website, he was born at Womack Army Hospital at Fort Bragg to a helicopter pilot and teacher and raised in Fayetteville with his two siblings, graduating from Seventy-First High School.
Clark studied industrial technology at N.C. A&T University, where he was also in the ROTC program. He joined the U.S. Air Force as a second lieutenant and retired 20 years later as a lieutenant colonel.
Clark has been elected to five terms in the N.C. Senate and his district includes Hoke and part of Cumberland County.
When legislative maps were finally approved late last year, Richmond County was split between the 8th and 9th districts.
Rep. Dan Bishop faced no challengers in the primary for the 8th District and has no competition from the Democratic or Libertarian parties in November.
The 8th District includes the western two-thirds of Richmond, Anson, Union, Montgomery, Stanly, Davidson, Rowan and eastern Cabarrus.
Hudson wins 9th District GOP primary, will face Clark in November
Congressman Richard Hudson talks abortion, unity in Asheboro visit
Dean-Paul Stephens
The Courier-Tribune
May 3, 2022
A number of conservative issues were front and center at Monday’s political luncheon which featured talks by Congressional representative Richard Hudson.
Hudson, along with public officials, candidates, and dozens of concerned citizens made the trip to Asheboro’s The Table Restaurant for the luncheon put on by the Faith and Freedom Coalition. a North Carolina-based political action group.
For Hudson, the incumbent for the District 9 race, the event served as an additional opportunity to get to know the people in his district before the elections later this year.
“I’m so blessed that I get to earn your votes and be your Congressman, here,” Hudson said, alluding to the months-long battle over North Carolina Congressional map. “I’m thrilled the way it worked out.”
Hudson’s talk emphasized a number of conservative issues including abortion, the supreme court, and the importance of mid-term elections, among others.
“I’m proud to work with you and be associated with you, the work you do matters,” Hudson said before moving on to one of the luncheon’s main topics of discussion.
“Despite all the things that are happening in this country, we are winning a few battles,” Hudson said before mentioning the Hyde Amendment, legislation that prohibits taxpayer funding for abortion services. “We are able to achieve some things but, overall, we need a lot more pro-life people in Congress.”
Hudson’s comments come in the midst of Roe v. Wade’s relitigation in the Supreme Court. Roe v. Wade was a Supreme Court case that established abortion as a constitutional medical procedure.
Since then, rolling back abortion access or outright eliminating the legal precedent established by the 1973 case has been a goal of pro-life lawmakers.
Hudson, who first joined Congress in 2013, talked about the difficulties of being a lawmaker. He talked about, what is widely perceived as, Congressional dysfunction.
“It is a mess in Congress right now,” Hudson said. “The question I get a lot when I’m on the street is ‘how do you go to Washington and deal with that?'”
Hudson said his faith plays a large part in the work that he does. He added that he regrets politics becoming as divisive as they have.
He said that ultimately, despite political differences, the country is stronger when everyone focuses on what makes us similar.
“We are indivisible as a country,” Hudson said. “We’ve been strong and we’ve been so successful because we’ve been so indivisible.”
Hudson talks new district, inflation, Ukraine in Sanford visit
By MARK ROGERS
Sanford Herald
April 30, 2022
Congressman Richard Hudson spent time last week meeting constituents in Lee and surrounding counties, talking about a variety of topics from the newly drawn Congressional districts to inflation and the war in the Ukraine.
After addressing Lee County Republicans at their headquarters on Steele Street April 22, Hudson stopped by The Sanford Herald to talk about a variety of topics.
“I have seven counties in my current district,” Hudson said. “Three of them are in the new 8th District and four of them in the new 9th District — including Fort Bragg. The greatest honor in my life is representing Fort Bragg. That was one of the reasons why I chose this end of the district — to represent the new 9th District, which includes all of Lee County.”
The new district includes nine counties.
“Four of them I currently represent, four I have represented in the past, and then I’ve never represented Chatham County before,” Hudson said. “We’ve been spending a lot of time getting to know the folks over there.”
As he’s traveled the district, several major things are on people’s minds — inflation, gas prices and the war in Ukraine are all topics constituents ask Hudson about.
“When I was in middle school, I learned about supply and demand,” Hudson said. “When you have a high demand and a low supply, prices go up. This is very basic fundamental economic principle. When it comes to gas prices, we have an abundance of energy resources here in America, but Joe Biden’s energy policies are preventing us from going and getting them.”
Hudson went on to explain issues involving gas prices.
“Most of the price of gas in America is driven by the futures market,” he said. “So, investors make predictions based on what they think the future looks like. There are two markets, the U.S. market and the global market. The U.S. market investors see Joe Biden cancel the (Keystone) XL Pipeline on Day 1, they see him restrict exploration on federal land — they see all these moves and they say, ‘Oh, prices are going to go up,’ so they make predictions based on that. By doing that, they make price go up. If Joe Biden would reverse them — even the XL Pipeline, I think it would have an impact on the futures markets and we’d see prices go down right away. Even before the oil got to the market.”
Hudson said the release of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve has had little impact on price.
“Those futures investors really drive the price, and those futures investors see him (Biden) do that (release) and they realize that’s a temporary fix — that’s not changing the fundamentals that led them to believe prices are going to be high for a while because supply is down and demand is up,” Hudson said.
Oil prices have a big effect on the economy, but they aren’t the only factor, according to Hudson.
“Gas prices are spilling over into inflation, but the biggest driver of inflation now is the out-of-control spending,” he said. “We’ve borrowed and spent $7.5 trillion — if you look at everything the House has passed. To put that into layman’s terms, you could spend $10 million a day from the day Jesus was born until today — and that’s $7.5 trillion — that’s a lot of money. It’s not sustainable.”
Hudson said the war in Ukraine has also been on the minds of constituents as he’s traveled the district.
“I don’t support American combat troops going into Ukraine in any way, shape or form, but I do support sending troops to the region as a deterrent,” Hudson said. “I support doing anything we can to send lethal weapons and supplies to Ukraine. In fact, I’ve been advocating that since 2015. We fought Obama over it — he wouldn’t send lethal aid. Trump was sending it, but Biden stopped it when he took office. All last year, a bunch of us were begging the president — pleading with him to send this aid. It’s only really since the invasion that we’ve really started what we need to do to supply them.”
Hudson said border concerns are also on the minds of people in the district and that he’s had a lot of good discussions with people throughout the region recently, spending the Easter recess traveling and speaking with them.
“I’ve had a chance to talk to a lot of people and people are frustrated with the direction the country’s headed in,” he said. “They’re really keen to see Republicans get in control — some not even because they like Republicans. Some just want to stop what they see happening. I actually heard more about the Southern border than I thought I might. It’s certainly been a priority for me.”
Hudson said more than two million people have illegally crossed the border recently.
“That’s more than the population of Charlotte, Greensboro and Fayetteville combined,” he said. “That’s a ton of people. I’m concerned about what criminals are coming across, what terrorists are coming across. We know of a number of terrorists that we’ve caught at the border.”
Hudson said another major concern is illegal drugs coming across the border.
“I’m worried about fentanyl,” he said. “It’s impacting every community in America. We’ve confiscated this year, enough fentanyl to kill every American seven times.”
Congressman Hudson visits Chatham on campaign trail
BY TAYLOR HEEDEN, ChathamNews + Record
PITTSBORO — U.S. Representative Richard Hudson Jr. came to Pittsboro last Wednesday while campaigning to be reelected for his sixth term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Hudson — a registered Republican representing the 8th district — is seeking North Carolina’s 9th congressional district seat after the 2020 census required the state to redraw its electoral districts and maps. Four of the counties Hudson represents moved into the 9th district, which now includes Chatham.
Hudson said he and his family are planning to move to Moore County because his home in Concord is outside of the 9th district.
“We don’t legally have to live in a district, but I think it’s important to be in the communities you’re in,” he said.
Hudson has spent almost 10 years in Washington and in that time has co-authored over 60 bills, most of which were bipartisan efforts.
“I identify a problem I want to solve back home and then I go find a Democrat that will work with me on the front end,” he said. “Even last year, as partisan as things were in Washington, I’ve gotten 11 bills out of the House (of Representatives), and President Biden signed four of them.”
Bipartisanship is crucial to passing laws, he said. He cited an example of this collaboration when he worked with Congressman Bobby Rush, the chairperson of the energy subcommittee for Hudson’s Energy and Commerce committee.
Hudson said he and Rush come from very different backgrounds; Rush co-founded the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther party in the 1960s, and Hudson hails from a military family in North Carolina.
Despite their disagreements on certain policy issues, Hudson said he and Rush are working together to help answer questions regarding the future of energy and commerce in the United States.
“He and I could not be more different in philosophy and background … but he and I care about each other, respect each other,” Hudson said. “We’ve been working on a workforce development bill for three Congresses now trying to look at what are the job skills we’re going to need in the 21st century in the energy sector … so that’s an issue where I may disagree with (him on) everything else, but we agree on that.”
Hudson’s priorities for a sixth term are lowering the inflation rate, curtailing gas prices and being a voice for Ft. Bragg’s military personnel.
He also wants to tackle a new problem: pandemic preparedness. Hudson says he’s working to reauthorize the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act, also known as the PAHPA Act.
“I am the lead Republican on this issue of national stockpile and pandemic preparedness,” he said. “It’s the perfect time for us Republicans and Democrats to come together and look at what did we get right this last pandemic, what did we get wrong, and what do we need to improve going forward to prepare for the next pandemic.”
Water quality has also become an important issue for some Chatham voters, and Hudson said he was approached at a campaign event at the Pittsboro Rotary Club regarding 1,4-Dioxane contamination in the Haw River. Hudson said he has a record of voting to support the communities affected by contaminated water as one of four Republicans in the House of Representatives to vote in favor of a bill establishing regulations on PFAS, also known as “forever” chemicals.
“I started working on it because we have an issue in Cumberland County on the Cape Fear River,” he said. “I’ve not been afraid to fight for clean water for people, so I’m going to look into this same issue, and you can count on me to lead the fight.”
Hudson said to create change and pass laws, congressional representatives must be willing to compromise and work “across the aisle” to accomplish what voters want.
He said he wants to be Chatham’s congressional champion, and he said he would make sure to talk to voters from all walks of life, regardless of political affiliation.
“When I decide how to vote, I vote based on my principles and the information in front of me and what I think is in the best interest of people in my district, and I believe I need to be transparent about that,” he said. “I’m also willing to compromise my preferences and work across the aisle and get things done for people in my community. I’ve got a record of doing that now for nine years, and I’d be honored to have the opportunity to do that for Chatham County.”
https://chathamnewsrecord.com/stories/congressman-hudson-visits-chatham-on-campaign-trail,13094
Following redistricting shake up Congressman Richard Hudson reintroduces himself to Randolph community
Dean-Paul Stephens
The Courier-Tribune
March 14, 2022
Increased cost of living, redistricting, and the ongoing conflict in Europe were on District 9 Representative
Richard Hudson’s mind, as he toured his Congressional district, Friday, meeting with local officials.
First elected to Congress in 2013, Hudson said he wanted to spend the day reacquainting himself with his district following recent redistricting changes. Under the current district maps, Hudson, who is the incumbent, will face off against challengers Mike Andriani, Jennyfer Bucardo, and Francisco Rios during the May 17 primaries. The winner of the primary will face Democrat Ben Clark in the general election, currently scheduled for Nov. 8.
“I’m thrilled the new…district I’m seeking to represent will also include Randolph County,” Hudson said. “My first two terms in Congress I represented Randolph County, well part of Randolph County at the time. I really got to know this community, there are great folks here and I’m thrilled to be able to earn the votes of the people here again.”
Hudson said that although he, like his conservative colleagues, was not happy with the Supreme Court’s rejection of Republican-drawn maps, he said he is happy to be back in the Randolph community and wants to avail himself to locals.
“I really feel like I understand these communities,” Hudson said adding that he is impressed with the ongoing economic development but is concerned with the impact gas prices and inflation is having on average residents.
“I understand the pain you’re feeling, it’s real,” Hudson said. “When you go to the pump when you go to the grocery store, I think the average food cost in Randolph County [has increased] and that’s real.”
Hudson said, in regards to inflation, both parties could be blamed.
“We spent too much too when we were in charge,” Hudson said. “I think that spike you’re seeing [in inflation] is caused by overspending in Washington.”
Speaking about gas prices Hudson said there are ways to reduce them, such as increasing stateside production.
“I learned a tool, it’s a very simple concept of supply and demand,” Hudson said. “You’ve got a lot of demand and if you don’t have a lot of supply the price will go up.”
He said seeking energy independence will have a lasting impact, on both the country and the pocketbooks of regular citizens.
“I’m…beyond thrilled to be able to be their congressman again,” Hudson said. “I believe to be your representative, I need to know you and you need to know me.”
Hudson visits Hamlet Depot, explains family ties to area
By Staff Report, The Richmond Observer
HAMLET — A congressman hoping to once again represent part of Richmond County paid a visit to a local museum on Friday.
Rep. Richard Hudson, R-Concord, toured the Hamlet Depot and Museum and met with Director Mechelle Presslar and Secretary/Treasurer Angie Averitte, according to social media posts.
The Silver Meteor exhibit in the Tornado Building is dedicated to Riley Watson, Hudson’s great-uncle. Watson was the brother of Hudson’s grandfather.
“My grandfather worked at the Hamlet train station until retirement with the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad and my mom partly grew up there,” Hudson said in a post. “It was great to visit the station and museum while in Hamlet and also see the Seaboard exhibit dedicated to my uncle, Riley Watson.”
Both the Depot and Hudson made posts on Facebook.
Hudson’s post included a video.
“My family roots run so deep here, and I’m just thrilled that Richmond County is now part of the new 9th District, and I have the opportunity to once again represent this community in the United States Congress.”
Last month, a three-judge panel — including Richmond County Superior Court Judge Dawn Layton — rejected a second map from state legislators and opted for one drawn by “special masters.”
The district now comprises Scotland, Hoke, Lee, Chatham and Randolph counties in addition to northwest Cumberland, western Harnett and a sliver of eastern Richmond — stretching from Hamlet and northward on N.C. 177 to include Marston, Hoffman and Derby.
The rest of Richmond County is in the 8th District with Anson, Union, Montgomery, Stanly, Rowan and Davidson counties, as well as eastern Cabarrus. The latter is Hudson’s home county.
Congressman Dan Bishop, who currently represents all of Richmond County in the U.S. House of Representatives, has filed to run for the 8th District.Advertisements
While Bishop is unopposed, Hudson is not.
Hudson is being challenged in a Republican primary on May 17 against Mike Adriani of Fayetteville, Francisco Rios of Charlotte, and Jen Bucardo of Asheboro.
The RO is unsure if Adriani’s address falls within the district. However, of the other three candidates, including Hudson, Bucardo is the only resident.
But, a quirk in the U.S. Constitution allows House members to live outside the district they are elected to represent.
The winner of the primary will face state Sen. Ben Clark, a Hoke County Democrat and Air Force veteran.
Hudson has represented, at some point, eight of the nine counties in the new district, with Chatham being the exception, according to the congressman’s office. Hudson also had an office in Richmond County at one time before maps were redrawn in 2016.
Following his Hamlet visit, Hudson posted a video of himself filling up at a gas station in Pittsboro, which is in Chatham County, calling for President Joe Biden to open domestic energy exploration.
Hudson also posted a video Thursday during a visit to Laurinburg.
https://richmondobserver.com/local-news/hudson-visits-hamlet-depot-explains-family-ties-to-area.html