Richard Ojeda has secured his place in American political history, becoming the first Hispanic member of Congress to represent North Carolina.
Following his victory in the November 3, 2026, general election against Republican Richard Hudson, Ojeda was set to bring his distinct brand of populist politics to the U.S. House of Representatives.
The win marks a significant chapter in a career defined by rapid shifts and deep roots in the labor movement. A retired U.S. Army major with 25 years of service, Ojeda has spent recent years oscillating between state-level activism and federal aspirations. His path to the 9th Congressional District was solidified on March 3, 2026, when he clinched the Democratic primary with the critical backing of the North Carolina AFL-CIO.
From Military Service to Political Populism
Born in Rochester on October 25, 1970, to a family of Mexican, Romanian, and Italian heritage, Ojeda’s upbringing in Logan, West Virginia, shaped his early perspective on the struggles of the working class.
After graduating from Logan High School in 1988, he embarked on a long military career that included two tours in Iraq and service across the globe, from South Korea to Afghanistan. His two Bronze Star Medals and his extensive tenure at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, provided a foundation of service that he later used to build his political career.
Upon retiring from the military, Ojeda transitioned to teaching in the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) at Chapmanville Regional High School. His early political success came in 2016, when he was elected to the West Virginia Senate.
During his tenure, he gained national attention for his vocal support of the 2018 teacher strikes, positioning himself as a fierce advocate for public sector employees and an opponent of stagnant wages. His frustration with the pace of legislative progress led him to resign from the state Senate in January 2019.
Ojeda Advocates for Corporate Tax Increases and Union Protections
Ojeda identifies as a traditional working-class Democrat, though analysts frequently label him a left-wing populist due to his aggressive stance against corporate influence. His economic platform centers on increasing taxes for major corporations and wealthy citizens, particularly within the coal and gas sectors, to bolster public funding. He remains a staunch opponent of “right-to-work” laws, arguing that such measures undermine the collective bargaining power of unions.
His views on social issues are equally defined. Having once held a more moderate position on the Second Amendment, Ojeda shifted toward advocating for stricter gun control measures following the 2019 shootings in Dayton and El Paso.
He is a vocal proponent of abortion rights, the expansion of Medicaid, and the protection of the Affordable Care Act. On the environment, he seeks a pragmatic balance, supporting the transition of coal-industry workers into sustainable energy roles while acknowledging the continued, albeit limited, role of coal in the steel industry.
The Road to the 9th District
The journey to his 2026 victory was not without setbacks. Ojeda’s record includes a failed attempt to secure the Democratic nomination for the U.S. House in 2014, a loss in the 2018 general election for West Virginia’s 3rd district—where he nonetheless outperformed previous Democratic candidates—and a short-lived 2020 presidential bid.
After finishing second in the 2020 Democratic Senate primary in West Virginia, with 33% of the vote against Paula Jean Swearengin’s 38%, he moved in 2020 to North Carolina, using his previous military ties to the state to build a new political base.
Reflecting on his approach to politics, Ojeda has frequently criticized the Democratic Party for drifting away from its labor-focused origins. His campaign for the 9th District prioritized federal immigration reform, specifically advocating for the protection of Dreamers and a clear path toward citizenship.
Ojeda has maintained throughout his campaigns that the influence of lobbyists and corporate money must be curbed, speaking out against the power of lobbies and pharmaceutical companies in politics and proposing greater transparency and restrictions on donations from large corporations.
How do you think his legislative experience in West Virginia will translate to the federal level in Washington?
