113th Congress: Richard Hudson, R-N.C. (8th District)

By Melissa Attias, CQ Staff

A former chief of staff to three GOP lawmakers, Richard Hudson says he enjoyed being “a behind-the-scenes problem solver” until his frustration with the country’s direction and Democratic incumbent Larry Kissell prompted him to run for office himself.

“I already know how Congress functions. I already know how the committee process works. And so I believe I can be effective on day one,” he says.

Hudson’s top priorities are a balanced-budget amendment and cutting spending, and he shares his other focus, jobs and the economy, with many members of both parties.

He believes uncertainty in areas such as tax policy, energy and health care costs is preventing those who have the capital to create jobs from moving forward. He opposes the 2010 health care law, which he thinks will bankrupt the federal government, and has pledged not to raise taxes.

“I think the best path is to cut spending and to increase revenues by getting more people back to work,” he says.

As a representative of Charlotte, a large banking center, Hudson is eyeing a seat on the Financial Services Committee, where he could work on rolling back provisions of the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial regulatory overhaul that he thinks went too far.

Hudson is also interested in helping his district from the Agriculture Committee. He says recent regulations are making farming more expensive, while trade policy and eliminating inheritance taxes are priorities as well.