ROCKINGHAM — Before Rep. Richard Hudson can face off against state Sen. Ben Clark, a former Air Force officer, for the 9th Congressional district seat, he’ll have to make it past two challengers — including another veteran — in a Republican primary.
Records with the N.C. State Board of Elections show Francisco Rios, of Charlotte, filed to run as a Republican on Dec. 8, 2021.
At the time, the 9th District was contained to Mecklenburg County.
However, a three-judge panel — including Richmond County Superior Court Judge Dawn Layton — rejected a second map from state legislators and opted for one drawn by “special masters.”
The district now comprises Scotland, Hoke, Lee, Chatham and Randolph counties in addition to northwest Cumberland, western Harnett and a sliver of eastern Richmond.
The RO has attempted to contact Rios’ campaign to clarify if he was changing districts because of the new map.
Further confusing matters, a post on Rios’ website states that the campaign would be going door to door in District 5 on Feb. 5.
Either way, Rios could still run for the 9th District as the Constitution doesn’t require members of the U.S. House of Representatives to live in the districts they represent.
According to his campaign website, Rios is an Army veteran who served with the 82nd Airborne Division based at Fort Bragg, has lived in North Carolina for more than 20 years, and started his own electronics business in 2019.
Rios has never held public office and is “not burdened with the maladies that many representatives suffer from once they reach office.”
The top four issues listed on his website are supporting veterans, curbing governmental spending, stopping illegal immigration, and accountablity and refrom in Congress, including setting term limits.
Another candidate, Jen Bucardo of Asheboro, entered the race on Monday, state records show.
According to Bucardo’s campaign website, she was born in California but raised in North Carolina. Her LinkedIn page shows Bucardo obtained a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management from Winston-Salem State University and has worked as a legal assistant, substitute teacher in Randolph County Schools and is currently self-employed with A Fresh Coat of Paint, which has the same address as her home listed with elections records.
It appears Bucardo had originally planned to run in District 7, which, under the original map, included Randolph, Chatham, Lee, Alamance, eastern Guilford, eastern Davidson, southwestern Wake and the northern tip of Harnett.
Bucardo, according to her website, appears to be pro-gun, pro-life, in favor of Voter ID and against critical race theory. She is also interested in immigration, education and foster care, and environmental reform.
Hudson, who has represented Richmond County in the past, filed on Feb. 25.
Clark filed to run as a Democrat on Monday and no one from the Libertarian Party has filed.
As of Wednesday, no one had filed to challenge Rep. Dan Bishop for the District 8 seat, either from his own party or the Democratic or Libertarian parties.
The 8th District includes the western two-thirds of Richmond, Anson, Union, Montgomery, Stanly, Davidson, Rowan and eastern Cabarrus.
Filing ends at noon Friday.
Note: This story has been edited to add Rowan County to the 8th District. 10:36 p.m. 3-2-22.
