Democratic challenger to NRCC chair launches first TV ad as race tightens

Christian DatocOctober 14, 2026

Richard Ojeda,a Democratic candidate expected to run for the 2026 House seat in North Carolina’s 9th District,launched his first campaign ad claiming his opponent,Congressman Richard Hudson,is the top recipient of pharmaceutical industry funding in Congress. hudson,chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee,has been holding his seat since 2013 and recently invested $200,000 in his own TV campaign. The district, which includes Fayetteville, Greensboro, and Fort Bragg, favored Donald Trump by 15 points in the 2024 election. The article also includes promotional content for Washington examiner’s subscription services,emphasizing unlimited access to news and analysis,and details about subscribing for full coverage.

EXCLUSIVE — Richard Ojeda, the 2026 Democratic House nominee in North Carolina’s 9th District, debuted his first ad of the midterm election cycle Wednesday morning, accusing his opponent Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) of being the “biggest recipient of big pharmaceutical dollars” in Congress.

Hudson, the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, has held his seat since 2013 and put $200,000 into his own first television ad campaign just last week. President Donald Trump carried North Carolina’s 9th District, which stretches from Fayetteville to Greensboro and includes Fort Bragg, by 15 points in the 2024 general election.