Richard Hudson (American politician)

Last updated

Renee Howell
(m. 2010)
Richard Hudson
Richard Hudson, official portrait, 115th Congress (cropped).jpg
Official portrait, 2016
Chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee
Assumed office
January 3, 2023
Children1
Education University of North Carolina, Charlotte (BA)
Website House website
Campaign website

Richard Lane Hudson Jr. (born November 4, 1971) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for North Carolina's 9th congressional district since 2013 (previously numbered the 8th district). A member of the Republican Party, his district covers a large part of the southern Piedmont area from Concord to Spring Lake.

Contents

Early life and education

Hudson was born in Franklin, Virginia, [1] but has lived in the Charlotte area since childhood. He graduated from Myers Park High School in 1990. He attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and graduated Omicron Delta Kappa in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and history. [1] He also served as student body president and president of the College Republicans [2] and was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order social fraternity. [3]

Early career

Active in politics for many years, Hudson served as district director for 8th District Congressman Robin Hayes [4] from 1999 to 2005. [5] At various times, he served on the staffs of Republicans Virginia Foxx, John Carter and Mike Conaway. [5] He also served as communications director for the North Carolina Republican Party in the mid-1990s. [1] In 1996 he worked on Richard Vinroot's campaign for governor, and in 2008 as campaign manager for Pat McCrory's run for governor. [1] Hudson was the president of Cabarrus Marketing Group, a small business consulting and marketing company he started in 2011 and dissolved upon his election to Congress. [6]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2012

Hudson ran for Congress in North Carolina's 8th congressional district. He won the July 17 Republican primary runoff with 64% of the vote against Scott Keadle [7] and faced Democratic incumbent Larry Kissell in November. The district had been made significantly more Republican in redistricting, losing most of its share of Charlotte and picking up several heavily Republican areas northeast of the city.

At a primary campaign event in April 2012, Hudson told a Tea Party group, "there's no question President Obama is hiding something on his citizenship." [8] He later apologized for his comments and said he accepted that Obama was born in the United States. [9]

Hudson spoke at the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida, on August 28, 2012. [10] He was elected with 54% of the vote to Kissell's 46% and took office in January 2013.

North Carolina's 8th congressional district, 2012 [11]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Richard Hudson 160,695 53.2
Democratic Larry Kissell (incumbent)137,13945.4
Independent Antonio Blue (write-in)3,9901.3
n/a Write-ins4560.1
Total votes302,280 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic
2014

Hudson was opposed by Antonio Blue in the general election and won 64.9% to 35.1%. [12]

2016

In 2016, Hudson was challenged by Tim D'Annunzio in the primary election. He won with 64.6% of the vote to D'Annunzio's 35.4%. In the general election, Hudson defeated Democrat Thomas Mills 58.8%–41.2%.

2018
North Carolina's 8th congressional district, 2018 [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Richard Hudson (incumbent) 141,402 55.3
Democratic Frank McNeill114,11944.7
Total votes255,521 100.0
Republican hold
2020

Hudson defeated Democrat Patricia Timmons-Goodson in the November 3 general election. [14]

2022
North Carolina's 9th congressional district, 2022 [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Richard Hudson (incumbent) 131,453 56.50
Democratic Ben Clark101,20243.50
Total votes232,655 100.0
Republican hold
2024
2024 North Carolina's 9th congressional district election [16]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Richard Hudson (incumbent) 210,042 56.3
Democratic Nigel William Bristow140,85237.8
Independent Shelane Etchison22,1835.9
Total votes373,077 100.0
Republican hold

Committee assignments

At the beginning of the 116th Congress, Hudson was assigned to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, [17] Subcommittee on Energy, [18] Subcommittee on Health [19] and Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce. [20]

Caucus membership

Tenure

According to The Sandhills Sentinel, Hudson holds a conservative position on gun control, opposes abortion, and has been "a leading advocate of opioid reform." [24]

Hudson sponsored a bill to improve airport security in reaction to the 2013 Los Angeles International Airport shooting. [25] Representative John Katko reintroduced the bill, which became law in the 114th Congress.[ citation needed ]

In 2014, Hudson proposed prohibiting EPA officials from using airplane travel for official travel. [26]

In December 2020, Hudson was one of 126 Republican members of the House of Representatives to sign an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania ,[ citation needed ] [27] a lawsuit filed at the United States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden defeated Trump. [28] The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on the basis that Texas lacked standing under Article III of the Constitution to challenge the results of an election held by another state. [29] [30] [31]

On January 6, 2021, Hudson was one of 147 Republican lawmakers who objected to the certification of electoral votes from the 2020 presidential election after a crowd of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol and forced an emergency recess of Congress. [32] On May 19, 2021, Hudson and all seven other House Republican leaders voted against establishing a national commission to investigate the January 6, 2021, attack on the United States Capitol Complex. [33] Thirty-five Republican House members and all 217 Democrats present voted to establish such a commission. [34]

In March 2025, amid public opposition to the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency's sweeping spending cuts and other Trump administration policies, Hudson instructed fellow Republican members of Congress to stop holding town halls. [35]

Political positions

LGBTQ rights

In 2015, Hudson cosponsored a resolution to amend the Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. [36]

Healthcare

Hudson favors repealing the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and has voted to repeal it. [37] [24]

Foreign policy

Hudson supported President Donald Trump's 2017 executive order to impose a temporary ban on entry to the U.S. to citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries, saying, "At a time of grave security threats, President Trump is right to pause the flow of refugees from countries where terrorism is rampant until we can properly vet them and implement additional screening for individuals traveling to and from these countries." [38]

Israel

Hudson supports Israel's right to defend itself. In 2023, he voted with an overwhelming bipartisan majority to provide Israel with whatever support is necessary in the "barbaric war" in Gaza started by Hamas and other organization following the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7. [39] [40]

Gaza

Hudson supported President Trump's proposal from 2025 to send U.S. troops to take control of Gaza and remove the Gazans from the territory. [41]

Immigration

Hudson voted in favor of S.5, the Laken Riley Act. [42] The bill would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to detain illegal immigrants who are charged with theft, burglary, or shoplifting. [43]

Guns

Hudson opposes red flag laws, which allow courts to remove firearms from individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others. [44]

Personal life

Hudson's wife, Renee, was chief of staff for Kellyanne Conway. [24] Hudson attends Crossroads Church (Concord, North Carolina), [45] which is a Global Methodist Church congregation. [46]

Electoral history

North Carolina's 8th congressional district, 2012 [47] [48]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Richard Hudson 160,695 53.2
Democratic Larry Kissell (incumbent)137,13945.4
Independent Antonio Blue (write-in)3,9901.3
Write-in 4560.1
Total votes302,280 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic
North Carolina's 8th congressional district, 2014 [49]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Richard Hudson (incumbent) 121,568 64.9
Democratic Antonio Blue65,85435.1
Total votes187,422 100.0
Republican hold
North Carolina's 8th congressional district, 2016 [50]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Richard Hudson (incumbent) 16,375 64.6
Republican Tim D'Annunzio8,94335.4
Total votes25,248 100.0
Republican hold
North Carolina's 8th congressional district, 2018 [51]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Richard Hudson (incumbent) 141,402 55.3
Democratic Frank McNeill114,11944.7
Total votes255,521 100.0
Republican hold
North Carolina's 8th congressional district, 2020 [52]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Richard Hudson (incumbent) 202,774 53.3
Democratic Patricia Timmons-Goodson 177,78146.7
Total votes380,555 100.0
Republican hold
North Carolina's 9th congressional district, 2022 [53]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Richard Hudson (incumbent) 131,453 56.5
Democratic Ben Clark 101,20243.5
Total votes232,655 100.0
Republican hold
North Carolina's 9th congressional district, 2024 [54]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Richard Hudson (incumbent) 210,042 56.3
Democratic Nigel William Bristow140,85237.8
Independent Shelane Etchison22,1835.9
Total votes373,077 100.0
Republican hold

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Richard Hudson - Candidate for U.S. President, Republican Nomination - Election 2012". WSJ.com. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  2. "HUDSON, Richard - Biographical Information". bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  3. "Congressman Richard Hudson". Kappa Alpha Order. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  4. "Congressman Richard Hudson | North Carolina Heroes' Fund". www.ncheroes.org. June 13, 2013. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  5. 1 2 Sinclair, David. "Hudson, Mills Vie for Congressional Seat". The Pilot Newspaper. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  6. Neilson, Madison Hall, Grace Panetta, Susie. "GOP Rep. Richard Hudson is projected to win North Carolina's 8th Congressional District against Democrat Patricia Timmons-Goodson". Business Insider. Retrieved July 29, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. Perlmutt, David; Johnson, Lukas (July 18, 2012). "Hudson to take on Kissell in U.S. District 8". Charlotte Observer. Archived from the original on January 19, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
  8. Lavender, Paige (May 5, 2012). "More GOP Candidates Make Birther Claims". HuffPost. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  9. Ordonez, Franco (2012). "GOP candidates from N.C. back down from questioning Obama's birthplace". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  10. Ordoñez, Franco (August 28, 2012). "Concord hopeful Hudson speaks role at Republican National Convention". Charlotte Observer. Archived from the original on January 19, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
  11. "North Carolina General Elections Results 2012". North Carolina State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  12. "Richard Hudson". Ballotpedia.
  13. "District 8, North Carolina State Board of Elections & Ethics Enforcement". North Carolina State Board of Elections & Ethics Enforcement. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  14. "Article". www.newsobserver.com. July 17, 2020. Retrieved December 14, 2020.(subscription required)
  15. "District 9, North Carolina State Board of Elections & Ethics Enforcement". North Carolina State Board of Elections & Ethics Enforcement. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  16. "11/05/2024 OFFICIAL GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS - STATEWIDE". North Carolina State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on January 26, 2025. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  17. Energy and Commerce Committee, U.S. House of Representatives. "E&C GOP". E&C GOP.
  18. Energy Subcommittee. "E&C GOP". E&C Republicans. E&C GOP.
  19. E&C GOP. "Energy and Commerce Republicans". E&C GOP. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  20. E&C GOP. "ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE Consumer Protection and Commerce". republicans-energy commerce.
  21. "Membership". Republican Study Committee. December 6, 2017. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  22. "Rare Disease Congressional Caucus". Every Life Foundation for Rare Diseases. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  23. "Members of the Caucus on U.S. - Türkiye Relations & Turkish Americans". Turkish Coalition of America. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  24. 1 2 3 McFarland, Lori (November 7, 2018). "Rep. Richard Hudson wins fourth term". Sandhills Sentinel. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  25. Weikel, Dan (July 22, 2014). "House passes bill to improve airport security in wake of LAX shooting". LA Times. Retrieved July 23, 2014.
  26. Wolff, Eric (July 8, 2016). "Let the WOTUS court fights commence!". POLITICO.
  27. "Texas v. Pennsylvania Amicus Brief of 126 Representatives" (PDF). supremecourt.gov. December 10, 2020. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  28. Blood, Michael R.; Riccardi, Nicholas (December 5, 2020). "Biden officially secures enough electors to become president". AP News . Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  29. Liptak, Adam (December 11, 2020). "Supreme Court Rejects Texas Suit Seeking to Subvert Election". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  30. "Order in Pending Case" (PDF). Supreme Court of the United States. December 11, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  31. Diaz, Daniella. "Brief from 126 Republicans supporting Texas lawsuit in Supreme Court". CNN . Archived from the original on December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  32. Yourish, Karen; Buchanan, Larry; Lu, Denise (January 7, 2021). "The 147 Republicans Who Voted to Overturn Election Results". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  33. How Republicans voted on a commission to investigate the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, Washington Post , May 19, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  34. Roll Call 154 Bill Number: H. R. 3233 117th Congress, 1st Session, United States House of Representatives , May 19, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  35. "No more in-person town halls, NRCC chief tells House Republicans". POLITICO. March 4, 2025.
  36. Huelskamp, Tim (February 12, 2015). "Cosponsors - H.J.Res.32 - 114th Congress (2015-2016): Marriage Protection Amendment". www.congress.gov. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  37. "NC House Republicans split on GOP Obamacare repeal bill".
  38. Blake, Aaron (January 29, 2017). "Coffman, Gardner join Republicans against President Trump's travel ban; here's where the rest stand". Denver Post. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  39. Demirjian, Karoun (October 25, 2023). "House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  40. Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (October 25, 2023). "Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved October 30, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  41. Thorp, Frank; Coronell, Raquel (February 4, 2025). "'Deranged' and 'problematic': Bipartisan lawmakers bash Trump's Gaza proposal". NBC News.
  42. "Roll Call 23 Roll Call 23, Bill Number: S. 5, 119th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. January 22, 2025. Archived from the original on January 23, 2025. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  43. Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL (January 22, 2025). "Text - S.5 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): Laken Riley Act". www.congress.gov. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  44. "Bice, Hudson Urge Removal of Red Flag Law from National Defense Bill | Congressman Richard Hudson". hudson.house.gov. September 30, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  45. "Meet Richard Hudson". Richard Hudson for Congress. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  46. "Crossroads Concord — Who We Are". mycrossroads.co. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  47. "Elections". North Carolina State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on February 21, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  48. News & Observer: It's official Archived August 23, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  49. "District 8, North Carolina State Board of Elections & Ethics Enforcement". North Carolina State Board of Elections & Ethics Enforcement. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  50. "State Composite Abstract Report - Contest.pdf" (PDF). North Carolina State Board of Elections. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  51. "11/08/2022 OFFICIAL LOCAL ELECTION RESULTS - STATEWIDE". North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  52. "11/05/2024 OFFICIAL GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS - STATEWIDE". North Carolina State Board of Elections .
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from North Carolina's 8th congressional district

2013–2023
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Dan Bishop
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from North Carolina's 9th congressional district

2023–present
Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by Secretary of the House Republican Conference
2021–2023
Succeeded by
Preceded by Chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee
2023–present
Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
105th
Succeeded by