Richard Ojeda holds a commanding lead in the NC-09 House race following the November 3, 2026 general election, with unofficial tallies showing him at approximately 51 percent to incumbent Richard Hudson’s 49 percent across all precincts. Strong Democratic turnout, particularly in early voting, contributed to flips across multiple North Carolina districts previously rated safe or likely Republican. Ojeda, a retired Army major emphasizing veterans’ issues, drug pricing, and affordability, outperformed expectations in a district Hudson carried by nearly 19 points in 2024. Hudson, who chaired the National Republican Congressional Committee, conceded based on the results. Trader consensus reflected in current pricing aligns with these certified-pending margins; official canvassing scheduled for mid-November could still prompt minor adjustments, though reversal remains unlikely absent substantial discrepancies in remaining counts or legal challenges.