The head of the House Republican campaign committee, returning after President-elect Trump’s victory, believes that the GOP has a strong advantage going into the 2026 midterm elections to defend its majority.
“The battlefield is really laying out to our advantage. There are 14 Democrats who won seats also carried by Donald Trump. There are only three Republicans in seats that were carried by Kamala Harris. So that tells me we’re going to be on offense,” emphasized National Republican Congressional Committee chair Rep. Richard Hudson in a recent Fox News Digital interview.
Trump won crucial battleground states and the national popular vote against Vice President Harris in a convincing victory that set the stage for the GOP’s advantage in the upcoming elections.
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President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP/Evan Vucci)
Although the Republicans had a net loss in the House, they maintained a fragile majority and took control of the Senate. Democrats successfully flipped the House majority in 2018 but face a different challenge now as Republicans defend seats in districts carried by the president-elect.
“There’s a whole lot more opportunity for us to go on offense,” touted Hudson, who has represented a congressional district in central North Carolina for a dozen years.
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Hudson also highlighted the battle-tested House Republicans who have withstood past challenges and established strong brands in their communities. These candidates will be key players in defending Republican seats in districts carried by Harris.
The three House Republicans in districts carried by Harris are Reps. Don Bacon of Nebraska, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, and Mike Lawler of New York.
Now-President-elect Donald Trump greets Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina, the chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
In the upcoming 2026 midterms, Trump’s absence on the ballot poses a challenge for turning out voters. However, Hudson believes that focusing on key issues and campaigning alongside Trump can drive voter turnout.
Hudson praised Trump’s partnership with House Republicans and anticipates a continued alliance in the upcoming election cycle to maintain a House majority.
Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina, the chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, is interviewed by Fox News Digital on Dec. 11, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)
Hudson, returning as chair of the NRCC, prioritizes candidate recruitment and fundraising as essential tasks for the committee.
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“First thing, we’ve got to go out and recruit candidates. You know, candidate quality matters. And then we’ve got to go raise the money. So, I’ll be on the road and be out there helping our incumbents. But I’m looking forward to it,” emphasized Hudson.
Fox News’ Emma Woodhead contributed to this report
Editors note: Fox News Digital also interviewed Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chair Rep. Suzan DelBene of Washington. That report will be posted on Friday.
