Republican Richard Hudson, who chairs the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), has been defeated in North Carolina's Ninth congressional district, a seat previously considered safe for the GOP. The loss came as a shock to Republican leadership and operatives.
With 95 percent of votes counted, Democrat Richard Ojeda secured 138,707 votes, surpassing Hudson's 132,692. Hudson, a 14-year veteran of Congress, headed the House GOP campaign arm, which raised over $260 million for races nationwide.
Ojeda, a former state senator and retired Army Major who served for 24 years, ran on a platform that resonated with voters concerned about the economy and the rising cost of living. This theme was also central to campaigns across the country.
The election also saw a strong performance by Democrats in North Carolina more broadly. Governor Roy Cooper's efforts contributed to what has been described as a "blue wave" in the state, which has voted Republican in recent presidential elections. Two other North Carolina Republican incumbents, Virginia Foxx and Greg Murphy, were awaiting final results in their races, with Murphy leading by fewer than 250 votes and Foxx trailing by 99 as of Wednesday afternoon.
Additionally, Democrat Jamie Ager flipped North Carolina's 11th Congressional district, marking the first House seat to flip from Republican control on Election Night. This seat had a tumultuous recent history, with the incumbent Republican Congressman Chuck Edwards withdrawing his re-election bid after the House Ethics Committee recommended his censure for gifting lavish items to young female staffers.
