FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb 10, 2026
SKYLAND, NC — Dr. Richard Hudspeth, Democratic candidate for Congress in North Carolina’s 11th District, says newly released FEC fundraising reports show “business as usual” for the region’s top campaign fundraiser, Ager for Congress.
“Out on the campaign trail, I hear over and over again that money—and billionaire influence—in politics is corrupting our country, and that Democrats are just as beholden to it as Republicans,” Hudspeth said. “Our democracy is crying out to get the influence of money out of politics. In this primary, the electorate has a chance to tell Washington we want a fresh leader who puts people first.”
The Ager campaign has received hundreds of thousands in contributions from billionaires, hedge fund managers, and billionaire-backed PACs. Hudspeth criticized what he described as a contradiction between those donors’ stated values and their financial interests.
“They claim to champion Democratic causes, yet they invest heavily in our broken, for-profit health care system—private insurance companies, software that helps insurers delay and deny provider payments, and corporations like HCA,” Hudspeth said. “And let’s be clear: business as usual is not good for people in Western North Carolina. It means no meaningful reform in health care and no serious investment in housing, child care, environmental protection, or education.”
Hudspeth pointed to his work in community health as evidence that it is possible to expand affordable, accessible care while reinvesting in local communities to open new services.
“Jamie Ager has admitted he’s not offering political change by calling himself a ‘Blue Dog’ Democrat. ‘Blue Dogs’ opposed same-sex marriage. ‘Blue Dogs’ opposed a woman’s right to choose. ‘Blue Dogs’ were responsible for watering down the Affordable Care Act in 2010, moving President Obama away from a national healthcare system that would have cut costs, improved care, and saved lives.
“If we’re going to take billionaires’ money, let’s have them pay their fair share in taxes so that America can invest in programs that give people what they actually need—Medicare for All, affordable housing, and strong public services,” Hudspeth said. “Western North Carolina deserves better, while Chuck Edwards and Jamie Ager are just offering more of the same.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 05, 2026
SKYLAND, NC — Dr. Richard Hudspeth, Democratic candidate for Congress in North Carolina’s 11th District, is calling on the Buncombe County Democratic Party to reverse recent decisions that raise concerns about neutrality, access, and fairness ahead of the upcoming primary.
In a letter sent to members of the Buncombe County Democratic Party Board, Hudspeth outlined a series of actions that, taken together, risk undermining public trust in the party’s role as a neutral steward of the primary process.
“At a moment when voters are already skeptical of institutions and insider politics, the party has a responsibility to ensure the process is accessible and fair,” Hudspeth said. “Access to democracy should not come with a price tag.”
Hudspeth cited the absence of a countywide forum allowing Democratic voters to hear from all candidates, as well as the party’s decision to host a pre-primary “Victory Kickoff” that requires candidates to pay $500 in order to speak. According to Hudspeth, this structure creates a pay-to-play dynamic that privileges financial capacity over voter access and participation.
The letter also raised concerns about public optics at a recent NC-11 forum, where visible associations between party leadership and a specific campaign created the appearance of alignment. Hudspeth emphasized that regardless of intent, such moments can erode confidence in the party’s neutrality.
“These decisions contribute to a growing perception that outcomes are shaped by insiders rather than voters,” Hudspeth said. “That perception hurts turnout, engagement, and ultimately our ability to win.”
Hudspeth is calling on the Buncombe County Democratic Party to take immediate corrective action by allowing all Democratic candidates on the ballot to speak at party events prior to the primary, free of charge. He stated that if this step is not taken, he will not participate in the Victory Kickoff event.
“This is not about personalities or internal politics,” Hudspeth said. “It’s about fairness, transparency, and whether our party is living up to its own democratic values. There is still time to change course, and I urge the party to do so.”
February 05, 2026
Dear Board Members,
I am writing because the Buncombe County Democratic Party’s conduct ahead of this primary raises serious concerns about neutrality, access, and judgment at a moment when public trust in the party is already under strain.
In a contested primary, the county party’s role is not to signal preference or monetize access, but to ensure a fair, open process that centers voters. Several recent actions fall short of that responsibility.
First, Buncombe County has not held a county-wide forum allowing Democratic voters to hear from all candidates seeking to represent them. Instead of prioritizing open voter engagement, the party is hosting a pre-primary “Victory Kickoff” that requires candidates to pay $500 in order to speak. That structure is difficult to defend. It creates a pay-to-play dynamic that privileges resources over participation and sends a message that access is conditional, not guaranteed.
Second, the optics at the recent NC-11 forum were deeply concerning. The Buncombe County Democratic Party Chair’s visible association with the campaign manager and materials of another candidate created a clear public impression of alignment. Regardless of intent, such appearances undermine confidence in the party’s neutrality and should have been avoided.
Taken together, these decisions contribute to a growing perception that outcomes are shaped by insiders rather than voters. That perception has real consequences. Democratic registration is declining, and many voters increasingly believe the system is rigged or unresponsive to them. When party leadership reinforces those fears, even unintentionally, the damage is lasting.
This is not an abstract concern. It directly affects turnout, engagement, and our ability to win.
Accordingly, I am asking the Buncombe County Democratic Party to take an immediate and corrective step: allow all Democratic candidates on the ballot in Buncombe County to speak at party events prior to the primary, free of charge.
If this does not occur, I will not participate in the Victory Kickoff and will boycott the event.
This is not about personalities or internal politics. It is about whether the Buncombe County Democratic Party is prepared to uphold basic standards of democratic principles, fairness and transparency at a critical moment. There is still time to correct course, and I strongly urge you to do so.
Richard Hudspeth, MD
Democratic Candidates for Congress, NC-11
SKYLAND, NC — January 22, 2026 — Dr. Richard Hudspeth, family physician and candidate for Congress in North Carolina’s 11th District, today announced a comprehensive plan to lower healthcare costs and expand access by increasing federal investment in primary care and moving the United States toward a national health system that guarantees affordable care for all.
The plan notes that the United States spends more per person on healthcare than any other wealthy nation, while patients experience worse outcomes across life expectancy, access, and overall system performance. It calls for substantially increasing the share of national healthcare dollars dedicated to primary care in order to reduce preventable hospitalizations, improve health outcomes, and lower long-term costs.
The Hudspeth campaign also supports federal legislation that would move the United States toward a national health system modeled on successful international examples, expanding coverage, reducing administrative waste, and ensuring that every American can see a doctor and afford medications. Dr. Hudspeth’s proposal emphasizes the unique challenges facing Western North Carolina, including provider shortages, transportation barriers, and long travel times just to reach basic care.
“In my work as a family doctor, I’ve watched families struggle to afford basic care while we spend more and get less. That is not a healthcare system; that is a cost crisis, and it’s hurting working families and rural communities. Primary care keeps people healthy and out of the emergency room, and if we want better outcomes at lower cost, that’s where we start. The wealthiest country on Earth can and should guarantee healthcare that is affordable, accessible, and local. Too many people in Western North Carolina have to drive an hour just to see a doctor. In Congress, I will fight for a national health system that invests in primary care, ends the chaos of our current system, and makes sure rural communities are never left behind. I’ve spent my career as a family physician taking care of people; now I want to help build a system that takes care of all of us,” Hudspeth said.
If elected, Hudspeth will make healthcare reform and primary care investment a top priority in Washington. Dr. Hudspeth invites Rep. Chuck Edwards to explain his record on healthcare in Western North Carolina, and he encourages other candidates in the race to present their own plans to the community before the March 3rd Democratic Primary, so that voters know where they stand and how they plan to improve healthcare if elected.
About Dr. Richard Hudspeth:
Dr. Richard Hudspeth is a family physician and Democratic candidate for Congress in North Carolina’s 11th District, running on a platform centered on lowering costs for families, strengthening rural communities, expanding access to quality healthcare, and restoring accountability and problem-solving in Washington. Hudspeth has spent his career working with patients and families across the region, bringing a practical, solutions-oriented approach to public service
“It is Congress’s job to hold the Executive Branch accountable for “high crimes and misdemeanors” through impeachment.
What we saw in Minnesota with the killing of Renee Nicole Good during an encounter with ICE has shaken people across this country.
I’m disgusted with the cruelty and inhumanity on display, both in the killing and the uncaring, dishonest response from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.
This is the latest in a series of failures from Secretary Noem. From her inaction on Hurricane Helene relief, to sending Americans to overseas prisons, to spreading lies about events in Minnesota – it’s clear she lacks the competence and moral clarity for this job.
I believe Congress must move to impeach Secretary Noem.
This isn’t about partisanship. This is about our elected officials doing their jobs.
Our current representative here in NC-11, Chuck Edwards, has forgotten that. Not only has Chuck Edwards not held Kristi Noem accountable – he has said nothing about the killing of Renee Nicole Good and or the rampant abuses of ICE across the country.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Democratic Congressional Candidate Richard Hudspeth Attends “Stop ICE Terror” Protest in Asheville
Skyland, NC– Dr. Richard Hudspeth, physician and candidate for U.S. Congress in NC-11, attended the “Stop ICE Terror” protest in Asheville this week, joining community members calling for accountability and humane treatment following the killing of Renee Nicole Good during an encounter with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis.
“What we saw in Minnesota with the killing of Renee Nicole Good during an encounter with ICE has shaken people across this country. And it should. It forces us to face the hard truth that something in our national life is deeply out of balance.
This epidemic of violence has touched our schools, neighborhoods, places of worship, and streets. It has worn us down and numbed us to suffering. Too many have come to believe that this is simply the way things are. But we cannot accept that. Every major faith and ethical tradition teaches a simple idea: treat others the way you want to be treated. Love your neighbor. Yet somehow, we’ve drifted away from that basic truth.
The question isn’t whether we can find our way back; we know that we can. The question is whether we will choose to.
That choice is ours.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 07, 2026
SKYLAND, N.C. — Democratic congressional candidate Dr. Richard Hudspeth today announced the Homegrown Family Tax Credit, a proposal to provide a $500 refundable federal tax credit to households that grow food at home or raise small poultry at their primary residence.
The credit would help families offset rising grocery costs by supporting small-scale home food production, including vegetable gardens and backyard chickens. It would be available to individuals earning under $150,000 and married couples or heads of household earning under $250,000, and would be claimed through the existing tax system.
“Food prices are up more than 25 percent, and families in Western North Carolina are feeling it every week at the grocery store,” Hudspeth said. “This proposal starts from a simple idea: people here already know how to grow food, and many are doing it right now. The Homegrown Family Tax Credit respects that work and helps families stretch their food dollars without creating new bureaucracy or red tape. Instead of sending more subsidies to corporate agriculture, this puts money directly into the hands of families who are feeding themselves, improving their health, and strengthening their communities.”
An estimated 38,000 to 54,000 households in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District could benefit annually under the proposal, which is designed to complement programs like SNAP and WIC by helping families build long-term food security.
“I want voters to know that I have real plans for their very real issues, not just slogans and talking points,” Hudspeth said. “We’re in a crowded primary, and the best way to show people who would be their best choice is to lay out how you’d actually represent them. I’ve never been afraid to show my work, and this district deserves that kind of representation.”
About Dr. Richard Hudspeth
Dr. Richard Hudspeth is a family physician and Democratic candidate for Congress in North Carolina’s 11th District, running on a platform centered on lowering costs for families, strengthening rural communities, expanding access to quality healthcare, and restoring accountability and problem-solving in Washington. Hudspeth has spent his career working with patients and families across the region, bringing a practical, solutions-oriented approach to public service.
“For nearly a year, we have watched Congress quietly abandon its constitutional responsibility. Not with a vote. Not with a debate. But with silent complicity.
Today, once again, that silence shows its consequences. The capture of a sovereign nation’s president raises serious questions, no matter who it is or how corrupt they might be. If we are going to enter into foreign conflict and engage in regime change, we the people have a right to know. This country deserves answers. We demand them.
Where is Congress? Where is Chuck Edwards? What will it take before Congress actually begins to act like Congress again?
My answer is November 2026. If Congress won’t deliver accountability, voters will.”
“NC Republicans have redrawn the maps – multiple times – to give themselves an advantage before a single vote is cast.
But, as much as they rig things in their favor, they can’t hide the toll their policies are having on Western North Carolina families. Politicians like Chuck Edwards are sitting on their hands as health insurance premiums skyrocket, grocery prices rise, and rural hospitals close.”
“What we’re seeing across the country with Border Patrol is now at our front door. This level of cruelty, chaos and disrespect for basic principles, is what happens when Congress doesn’t do its job of passing comprehensive and morally sound legislation. This allows the executive branch to go unchecked and wreak havoc.
Across the country, ICE operations have swept up people with no criminal history, sometimes even U.S. citizens. They’ve separated children from their parents. They’re disrupting our already fragile economy by ransacking small businesses and rounding up staff.
This doesn’t make us safer. It only spreads fear and confusion in our communities already struggling to get by. Here in Western North Carolina, we know better. We keep each other safe by standing together, not by turning on our neighbors. We follow the law, we stay calm, and we refuse to let intimidation define who we are.
I’m not in Congress yet, but as a doctor, I was trained to begin with one principle: do no harm. If I have the honor to serve this district, I will always lead with that principle. I will fight for an immigration system rooted in humanity, common sense, and the belief that every person deserves dignity.
This is our home. And in NC-11, we choose community over fear every time.”
“Once again, Republicans are picking their voters. But I believe voters should pick their elected officials. That’s why I’m running. You deserve better. You deserve a choice. Gerrymandering is wrong, and I will fight to keep our elections fair and to support our country’s democracy.”
Read the full article HERE.
“Teachers are the foundation of our democracy. For far too long, they have not been paid what they deserve. That North Carolina’s teachers are some of the lowest paid in the nation is a shame and a disgrace.
A teacher’s number one priority will always be their students. They work tirelessly, often spending their own money and time to give kids a fair shot. We do them a disservice when we ask them to do so much with so little. I’m proud to see them organizing in new ways because unions make America and America’s workers stronger.”
Link to full article HERE.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 14, 2025
HUDSPETH FOR CONGRESS RAISES NEARLY $100K
IN LESS THAN THREE WEEKS
SKYLAND, N.C. — Less than three weeks after announcing his candidacy, Dr. Richard Hudspeth’s campaign has reported strong third-quarter fundraising results, signaling early and growing grassroots momentum across Western North Carolina.
For Q3, the campaign received contributions from more than 150 donors, with nearly two-thirds coming from within NC-11. The campaign raised $88,129 this quarter and closed with $84,357 in cash on hand. Dr. Hudspeth entered the race in late September, making the last month of the quarter’s results the clearest measure of current support and enthusiasm as voters evaluate their options.
“These contributions make clear that people across Western North Carolina are ready for new leadership,” said Dr. Hudspeth. “I am deeply grateful for the faith so many people in our region have put in my ability to lead this change. For too long, politicians have treated healthcare, the needs of rural communities, and the affordability crisis we face in housing, food, transportation, and retirement, like partisan talking points instead of human necessities. I’ve spent my career solving real problems for real people in this community, and that’s exactly what I’ll do in Congress. This campaign is about protecting the people of this district.”
Hudspeth’s strong fundraising and early support show that the dynamics of this primary have changed significantly since the initial candidates announced many months ago. Strong support is shifting to Hudspeth’s campaign because it offers Western North Carolina the chance at a representative who has been here doing the person-to-person work to help our communities. With deep roots and decades of service across Western North Carolina, Dr. Hudspeth’s campaign is powered by the same communities he’s cared for his entire career.
About Dr. Richard Hudspeth
Dr. Richard Hudspeth is a family physician and Democratic candidate for Congress in North Carolina’s 11th District, running on a platform centered on lowering costs for families, strengthening rural communities, expanding access to quality healthcare, and restoring accountability and problem-solving in Washington. Hudspeth has spent his career working with patients and families across the region, bringing a practical, solutions-oriented approach to public service.
*** MEDIA ADVISORY ***
HENDERSONVILLE, NC: On Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 10am, Dr. Richard Hudspeth will deliver remarks confirming his candidacy for North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District and lay out his platform for the campaign.
WHO: Dr. Richard Hudspeth
WHAT: Announcement regarding NC-11 Congressional Election
WHEN: Wednesday, September 17th at 10am. Supporters will gather beginning at 9:30am. Remarks begin at 10am
WHERE: Hendersonville, NC. Supporters will gather on Fleming Street between Ninth Avenue and Bearcat Blvd near Pardee Hospital
TO RSVP OR FOR GENERAL INQUIRIES: [email protected]
Stay tuned for new updates…
