Richard Hudson

Richard Hudson
Born	4 11, 1971
Birthplace	Franklin, Virginia, United States
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician
Title	Chairman, Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
Known for	U.S. Representative for North Carolina's 9th congressional district
Education	University of North Carolina at Charlotte (B.A.)
Website	[[hudson.house.gov hudson.house.gov] Official site]

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. A member of the Republican Party, Hudson has represented the district since 2013, building a legislative record centered on telecommunications policy, veterans' affairs, and gun rights. He serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology within the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, a position through which he has overseen hearings and legislative markups on broadband infrastructure and public safety communications. Based in the Southern Pines area, Hudson's district encompasses portions of south-central North Carolina, including communities in the Fayetteville metropolitan area. Prior to his election to Congress, Hudson worked as a congressional staffer and political consultant, accumulating experience in Republican politics across North Carolina. He has been a consistent presence in the state's political landscape for over a decade and has faced multiple reelection campaigns, including anticipated challenges in the 2026 election cycle.

Early Life

Richard Lane Hudson Jr. was born on November 4, 1971, in Franklin, Virginia. He grew up in various locations across the South, as his family moved during his childhood. Hudson spent formative years in North Carolina, a state with which he would develop deep personal and political ties. Details regarding his parents and family background during his early years are limited in available public sources, though Hudson has identified himself throughout his political career as a product of small-town Southern communities and has emphasized his connections to North Carolina's rural and suburban districts.

Education

Hudson attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. His time at UNC Charlotte coincided with a growing interest in politics and public service, and he became involved in Republican political activities during and after his undergraduate years. The university, located in North Carolina's largest city, provided Hudson with connections to the state's political networks that would prove instrumental in his subsequent career as a congressional aide and, later, as a candidate for office.

Career

Early Political Career and Congressional Staff Work

Before running for elected office himself, Hudson built an extensive career in Republican politics in North Carolina. He worked as a staffer for several members of Congress, gaining experience in legislative affairs, constituent services, and campaign operations. This period of service gave Hudson an insider's understanding of the workings of Capitol Hill and established relationships with Republican figures across the state. He also worked as a political consultant and in various advisory roles within the party. His background as a congressional aide was a distinguishing feature of his early candidacy, as it allowed him to present himself as someone already familiar with the legislative process and the needs of North Carolina constituents.

Election to Congress

Hudson first won election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012, representing North Carolina's 9th congressional district. The district, which has undergone redistricting changes over the years, encompasses portions of south-central North Carolina. Hudson defeated the Democratic incumbent in that initial race, capitalizing on favorable political conditions for Republicans in the district and his own deep roots in North Carolina's political infrastructure.

Since his initial victory, Hudson has been reelected multiple times. The Raleigh News & Observer reported in February 2026 that Hudson is considered a "longtime" representative of the district, and that at least four Democratic candidates were seeking to challenge him in the 2026 election cycle. The emergence of multiple challengers reflected Democratic interest in contesting the seat, though Hudson has historically maintained a strong position in the district.

Legislative Work and Committee Assignments

Hudson has served on several committees during his time in Congress. As of the 119th Congress, he holds the position of Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, which falls under the jurisdiction of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. This chairmanship has placed Hudson at the center of legislative debates over telecommunications infrastructure, broadband access, and public safety communications networks.

Broadband and Telecommunications

In his role as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, Hudson has been active in advancing legislation related to broadband permitting and deployment. In November 2025, he delivered the opening statement at a subcommittee markup session that considered 28 bills aimed at streamlining broadband permitting processes. The markup represented a significant legislative effort to reduce regulatory barriers to broadband infrastructure construction, an issue of particular importance to rural and underserved communities within Hudson's district and across the United States.

Additionally, Hudson held a hearing on the reauthorization of FirstNet, the nationwide public safety broadband network established following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks to provide first responders with a dedicated communications platform. The hearing, held in early 2026, examined the future of FirstNet and its continued role in supporting emergency communications. The reauthorization of FirstNet is considered a bipartisan priority, as the network serves law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel across all 50 states and U.S. territories.

Healthcare Legislation

Hudson has also engaged in healthcare policy, particularly as it relates to seniors and laboratory testing access. In September 2025, he joined a bipartisan group of colleagues, including Representatives Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Scott Peters (CA-50), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), in introducing the RESULTS Act. The legislation was designed to protect seniors' access to laboratory testing, addressing concerns about potential disruptions in diagnostic services for Medicare beneficiaries. The bipartisan nature of the bill reflected Hudson's willingness to work across party lines on healthcare issues affecting older Americans.

Budget and Government Funding

Hudson has been an active participant in debates over federal government funding. During a period in late 2025 when federal spending legislation was stalled in the Senate, Hudson publicly called on Senate Democrats to advance funding measures and end what he characterized as a shutdown. On what he described as "Day 31 of the Democrat Shutdown," Hudson issued a statement urging Senate Democrats to "stop using Americans' pain" as a political tool and to allow government operations to resume. His framing of the funding impasse as a Democratic-caused shutdown reflected the broader Republican messaging strategy during the dispute.

Congressional Motorsports Caucus

Hudson serves as Chairman of the Congressional Motorsports Caucus, a bipartisan group within Congress that supports the motorsports industry. North Carolina has deep ties to the motorsports community, particularly NASCAR, with numerous racing teams and facilities located in the state. In December 2025, Hudson released a statement in his capacity as Caucus Chairman following the deaths of Greg and Cristina Biffle and their children, expressing condolences on behalf of the motorsports community. Greg Biffle was a well-known figure in NASCAR racing, and Hudson's statement underscored the close relationship between North Carolina's congressional delegation and the motorsports industry.

Constituent Services and District Engagement

Hudson maintains active constituent service operations through offices in Southern Pines and Fayetteville, North Carolina. These offices handle casework for residents of the 9th congressional district and serve as hubs for community engagement activities.

In February 2026, Hudson announced the 2026 Congressional Art Competition, an annual program that allows high school students in the district to submit artwork for display in the U.S. Capitol. The announcement noted that both the Southern Pines and Fayetteville offices were accepting submissions for the competition. The Congressional Art Competition is a nationwide program in which nearly all members of Congress participate, and it provides an opportunity for members to engage with younger constituents and promote arts education.

Political Positioning and Reelection

Hudson has established himself as a consistent Republican voice in North Carolina politics. His district, which covers south-central North Carolina, includes both rural communities and portions of larger metropolitan areas. As a multi-term incumbent, he has faced periodic challenges from Democratic opponents.

Ahead of the 2026 election cycle, the Raleigh News & Observer reported that four Democratic candidates had announced their intention to seek their party's nomination to run against Hudson. The contested Democratic primary suggested growing interest among opposition candidates in challenging Hudson, though the ultimate competitiveness of the general election would depend on district demographics, national political conditions, and the strength of the eventual Democratic nominee.

Personal Life

Hudson resides in the Southern Pines area of North Carolina, within the boundaries of the 9th congressional district he represents. He has maintained ties to the region throughout his political career and has emphasized his connections to the communities he serves. Beyond his immediate legislative work, Hudson's involvement with the Congressional Motorsports Caucus reflects his personal interest in the motorsports industry, an enterprise with deep cultural and economic significance in North Carolina.

Recognition

Hudson's chairmanship of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology represents one of his most prominent leadership roles within Congress. The position has given him oversight authority over a wide range of telecommunications and technology issues, from broadband deployment to public safety networks like FirstNet. His role in advancing 28 broadband permitting bills through subcommittee markup in November 2025 was noted by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce as a significant legislative accomplishment aimed at closing the digital divide in rural and underserved areas.

His leadership of the Congressional Motorsports Caucus has also placed him in a visible role within the motorsports community, an industry that generates significant economic activity in North Carolina and across the southeastern United States.

Additionally, Hudson's participation in bipartisan legislative efforts, such as the RESULTS Act introduced in September 2025, has demonstrated his ability to collaborate with members of both parties on issues affecting healthcare access for seniors.