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D Democratic · U.S. House 9, North Carolina · Nov 3, 2026

Richard
N. Ojeda II

Retired Army major and ex-West Virginia state senator running as the 2026 Democratic nominee for NC's 9th Congressional District

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
21
positions
12
endorsements
10
ojedafornc.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)YouTube(opens in a new tab)Facebook(opens in a new tab)Instagram(opens in a new tab)
Opponent Richard Hudson R Compare race →

Background

Richard N. Ojeda II is a retired U.S. Army major and Democratic candidate for North Carolina's 9th Congressional District in the November 2026 general election. He served 24 years in the Army, retiring at the rank of major; his campaign notes that 15 of those years were spent at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, North Carolina. After retiring from the military, he taught Junior ROTC at a West Virginia high school. [14, 3]

Ojeda holds a bachelor's degree from West Virginia State University and an MBA from Webster University. He previously served as a West Virginia state senator representing the 7th District, having been elected in 2016 and serving from January 2017 until his resignation in January 2019. [3, 4]

Ojeda grew up in West Virginia and later returned to North Carolina with his family; his campaign biography describes Fayetteville as the family's home, where his daughter was born and his family was raised. He won the Democratic primary for NC-09 in 2026 and is challenging incumbent Republican Rep. Richard Hudson. [14, 20]

At a glance

Party
Democratic
Running for
U.S. House · District 9, North Carolina
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
Democratic candidate for U.S. House, North Carolina's 9th Congressional District (2026)
Website
ojedafornc.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Timeline

  1. Oct 9
    news
    Report: Hudson has $3.2M raised vs. Ojeda's $2.2M; Ojeda campaign appeals for TV ad funds

    A NOTUS/Washington Sun report on campaign spending noted Hudson raised $3.2 million and Ojeda $2.2 million as of the end of June. The report quoted an Ojeda campaign fundraising appeal stating 'RICHARD HUDSON IS ON TV. WE NEED TO BE TOO,' highlighting a fundraising gap.

    House Republican Campaign Chief Launches Defensive ... · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 6
    news
    Ojeda outlines policy platform in Fayetteville Observer voter guide

    In a Fayetteville Observer questionnaire, Ojeda called for lowering prescription-drug and energy costs, protecting affordable health care, cutting taxes on the first $45,000 a family earns, tying the minimum wage to inflation, seeking a seat on the House Armed Services Committee, and restoring congressional authority over war. He also stated he has never taken corporate PAC or defense industry PAC money.

    From affordability to Fort Bragg, here's where Hudson and Ojeda stand · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Oct 4
    news
    Ojeda tells Greensboro Latino he supports exempting first $45,000 of salary from taxes

    In an interview with Greensboro Latino, Ojeda emphasized health care, child care, and affordable housing for working people, and said he supported exempting the first $45,000 of salary from taxes. He also characterized Hudson as having chosen to be 'a faithful foot soldier of Trump' rather than fight for the district.

    Richard Ojeda: Este distrito merece un representante que viva como ustedes y que enfrente sus mismas batallas - Greensboro Latino · Oct 4, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Sep 27
    news
    Ojeda interviewed by Mama's Porch & Politics podcast

    Richard Ojeda gave an interview published by the Mama's Porch & Politics substack, adding to his public outreach as the Democratic candidate in NC-09.

    Interview with Richard Ojeda · Sep 27, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Sep 26
    news
    FEC data shows Ojeda raised $2.24M but holds far less cash on hand than Hudson

    A campaign analysis citing FEC reports through June 30 showed Ojeda raised $2,237,508 since Jan. 1, 2025, with $163,673 cash on hand, compared to Hudson's $1.34 million cash on hand for the same period.

    How Richard Ojeda Can Win NC-09 in 2026 | The Political Group · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Sep 23
    news
    Enlace Latino NC profiles Ojeda as Democratic nominee facing Hudson on Nov. 3

    Enlace Latino NC published a candidate profile identifying Ojeda as the Democratic nominee in NC-09, set to face Republican Richard Hudson in the November 3 general election.

    Richard Ojeda, candidato demócrata a la Cámara de Representantes federal por el Distrito 9 · Sep 23, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Sep 22
    endorsement
    The Steady State endorses Ojeda for NC's 9th Congressional District

    The Steady State, an organization of former national-security, intelligence, diplomatic, military, law-enforcement, and homeland-security officials, announced its endorsement of Ojeda, citing his support for executive-branch oversight and accountability.

    THE STEADY STATE ENDORSES RICHARD OJEDA FOR NORTH CAROLINA’S 9TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  8. Sep 15
    news
    PBS North Carolina publishes State Lines interview with Richard Ojeda

    PBS North Carolina published an interview with Ojeda as part of its State Lines series, providing him visibility as the Democratic candidate in NC-09.

    State Lines | Alma Adams, Democratic Candidate for NC’s 12th Congressional District · Sep 15, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  9. Aug 31
    poll
    Campaign-sponsored poll shows Hudson leading Ojeda 46%–42% in NC-09

    A Lake Research Partners poll conducted Aug. 31–Sept. 3, sponsored by Ojeda's campaign, showed Republican Richard Hudson at 46% and Ojeda at 42%, a four-point lead. This was the only general-election poll listed for the district as of the NYT poll tracker updated Oct. 9.

    North Carolina 9th Congressional District 2026: Latest Polls · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • North Carolina AFL-CIO affiliated Central Labor Councils union
    State AFL-CIO endorsed-candidates listing posted September 24, 2026 includes Ojeda for US House District 9, appearing on multiple council pages including the Western NC and Eastern NC Central Labor Councils. aflcionc.org · Sep 24, 2026
  • The Steady State organization
    Announced endorsement on September 22, 2026. The organization describes itself as comprising former national-security, intelligence, diplomatic, military, law-enforcement, and homeland-security officials. steadystate1.substack.com · Sep 22, 2026
  • Network for Public Education Action (NPE Action) organization
    NPE Action announced its endorsement of Ojeda for NC's 9th Congressional District. npeaction.org · Sep 3, 2026
  • Progressive Caucus of the North Carolina Democratic Party organization
    Reported as an endorsement by The Center Square on August 26, 2026. thecentersquare.com · Aug 26, 2026
  • National Education Association (NEA) union
    Reported as endorsing Ojeda in The Center Square's August 19, 2026 article. yahoo.com · Aug 19, 2026
  • American People's Compact organization
    Reported by The Center Square (via Yahoo News) in an August 19, 2026 article; endorsement picked up on the preceding Monday. yahoo.com · Aug 19, 2026
  • American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) union
    AFGE announced its endorsement of Ojeda for NC's 9th Congressional District. afge.org · May 14, 2026
  • Turn Left PAC organization
    Endorsement dated January 31, 2026, according to Stump endorsement-tracking site. joinstump.com · Jan 31, 2026
  • Veterans for Responsible Leadership organization
    Listed by Stump endorsement-tracking site as an endorser. joinstump.com · Dec 8, 2025
  • The Sons of Liberty organization
    Listed by Stump endorsement-tracking site as an endorser. joinstump.com · Nov 11, 2025

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$2.24M
Spent
$2.07M
Cash on hand
$164K

As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6NC09218(opens in a new tab)

Sources 21

  1. [1] House Republican Campaign Chief Launches Defensive ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
  2. [2] From affordability to Fort Bragg, here's where Hudson and Ojeda stand(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
  3. [3] Richard N. Ojeda II — official campaign website(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
  4. [4] Richard Ojeda for NC09(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
  5. [5] Richard Ojeda: Este distrito merece un representante que viva como ustedes y que enfrente sus mismas batallas - Greensboro Latino(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
  6. [6] Interview with Richard Ojeda(opens in a new tab) Sep 27, 2026
  7. [7] How Richard Ojeda Can Win NC-09 in 2026 | The Political Group(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
  8. [8] NC Union Endorsed Candidates for November 3rd General ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
  9. [9] Richard Ojeda, candidato demócrata a la Cámara de Representantes federal por el Distrito 9(opens in a new tab) Sep 23, 2026
  10. [10] Ensuring Quality Healthcare | Richard Ojeda for NC09(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
  11. [11] THE STEADY STATE ENDORSES RICHARD OJEDA FOR NORTH CAROLINA’S 9TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
  12. [12] North Carolina 9th Congressional District 2026: Latest Polls(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
  13. [13] State Lines | Alma Adams, Democratic Candidate for NC’s 12th Congressional District(opens in a new tab) Sep 15, 2026
  14. [14] Turn Left PAC — Endorsements | Stump Ledger(opens in a new tab) Sep 10, 2026
  15. [15] Stump | The Endorsement Marketplace for Local Candidates(opens in a new tab) Sep 9, 2026
  16. [16] NPE Action endorses Richard Ojeda for U.S. Congress, North Carolina's 9th District.(opens in a new tab) Sep 3, 2026
  17. [17] Election 2026: Ojeda calls out president in defense of cattlemen(opens in a new tab) Aug 26, 2026
  18. [18] Election 2026: Ojeda, Democrats believe a flip in the 9th is possible(opens in a new tab) Aug 19, 2026
  19. [19] AFGE Endorses North Carolina's Richard Ojeda for Election to ...(opens in a new tab) May 14, 2026
  20. [20] Four NC Democrats want to take longtime Rep. Richard Hudson’s seat in Congress(opens in a new tab) Feb 18, 2026
  21. [21] Richard Ojeda on the Issues - OnTheIssues.org(opens in a new tab) Jul 30, 2020
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