(The Center Square) – One dozen new additions by national Democrats to their “districts in play” targets includes the 9th Congressional District of North Carolina.
Incumbent Republican Rep. Richard Hudson, chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, is challenged by Major (Ret.) Richard Ojeda. While not seen anywhere near a toss-up race thus far in the midterm election cycle, a win by Democrats here could be immensely pivotal to majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Republicans’ 220-215 edge in the South Wing of the Capitol won in November 2024 is today 218-212 with one independent formerly Republican caucusing with his former party, and four vacancies.
Hudson has prevailed over Democrat Nigel Bristow 56.3%-37.8% in 2024 and Democrat Ben Clark 56.5%-43.5% in 2022. The district was won in 2020 by Republican Dan Bishop over Democrat Cynthia Wallace 55.6%-44.4%.
The last time Democrats were closer than 10% was the special election of 2019 won by Bishop over Democrat Dan McCready 50.7%-48.7%. That followed the 2018 ballot harvesting scandal originating out of Bladen County involving the late McCrae Dowless.
Democrats say Ojeda can triumph where Democrats have failed for more than a decade – in 2014 there wasn’t even a challenger to incumbent Republican Rep. Robert Pittenger, whose three terms involved serving constituents from Mecklenburg to Bladen counties. Congressional maps have changed, though the heart of the district has remained in the famed Sandhills.
Ojeda, a 24-year veteran with two Bronze Stars, served two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan and was stationed at Fort Bragg for 15 years of his service. He was elected a state senator in West Virginia after leaving the military and returning home to care for family.
“House Democrats are expanding the battlefield deep into Trump terrain because we have a winning message focused on fighting for an affordable American” said Chairwoman Suzan DelBene of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “MAGA Republicans who historically have considered themselves ‘safe’ have let down the people they were elected to represent, passing disastrous policies that are crushing working families and our communities.”
Hudson did not face a primary opponent. Ojeda (41.8%) won his primary over Bristow (26.7%), Lent Carr II (15.8%) and Loren Bibler (15.7%).
“This recognition is a reflection of the work our campaign has put in on the ground for months” Ojeda said. “Nobody will fight for veterans like I will and I will never leave my brothers and sisters behind.”
