Incumbent Hudson, Challenger Mills Focus on Struggling Economy in 8th CD | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: The author of this post is Kari Travis, who is an associate editor for the Carolina Journal, John Hood Publisher.

Two-term GOP incumbent wants to boost employment by expanding job training and skills; Democratic challenger Mills says infrastructure and technology are lacking in largely rural district

    U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, the Republican incumbent for North Carolina's 8th Congressional District, is running on his track record and roots in the district. Democratic challenger Thomas Mills, a former social worker and campaign consultant who's also a political blogger, says Hudson has been entrenched too long in Washington politics, causing him to lose touch with constituents.

    The 8th Congressional District includes Anson, Montgomery, Richmond, Scotland, and Stanly counties, and parts of Cabarrus, Davidson, Mecklenburg, Randolph, Robeson, Rowan, and Union counties. The North Carolina FreeEnterprise Foundation, which tracks state elections, rates the district as leaning Republican based on its conventional voting behavior since 2008.

    Hudson, a former marketing consultant and entrepreneur, was elected to his seat in 2012, but has worked in the nation's capital since 1999. He served as director for the 8th District in the office of former GOP U.S. Rep. Robin Hayes. Hudson worked for Hayes until 2005 and then served various roles on the staffs of Republican U.S. Reps. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina and John Carter and Mike Conway, both of Texas.

    "I think the people of this district want someone who's from [the 8th District], who lives here, who understands the needs and concerns of the people of this district, and who understands our values," Hudson said. "I'm the one that fits that bill." Hudson said Mills lives in Carrboro, outside the boundaries of the 8th District.

    Following his graduation from UNC Chapel Hill, Mills worked for many years as a carpenter before joining the Cleveland County Department of Social Services and earning his Master's of Public Administration from UNC-Charlotte in 1998. During his nine years with the department, he worked with autistic adults, taught in community colleges, and served as a child neglect and abuse investigator.

    Those experiences taught him how to relate to the struggles of low-income families, and helped him to learn the needs of the working class, Mills said.

    In the early 1990s, Mills began work as a political consultant and campaign strategist. In 2013 he founded PoliticsNC, a blog featuring commentary and analysis for state politics.

    "Working in politics has given me a very up close and personal view of our political system, and I'm running for office because I'm still an optimist," Mills said. "I think eventually the American people will make the right decisions, and that we come together, and we get through times of crisis."

    Both candidates agree that the 8th District's economic climate has failed to provide enough high-paying jobs. But they disagree on how to solve that problem. Hudson points to a need for better skills training for workers, while Mills says the district requires better infrastructure to support workers and move products efficiently.

    The issue of "jobs is complicated, and there's no one quick fix," Hudson said. "But I travel my district a lot and talk to folks who are looking for work. At every business I visit, I'm told they can't find employees with specific skills. And then I talk to people who can't find jobs. So there's a disconnect."

    Mills said he believes that the poor condition of roads, railways, and bridges - as well as the lack of internet access - are to blame for a gap in technologies that will allow rural areas to compete in the marketplace.

    "I think you need to wire rural America. If every small town had the same access to high-speed Internet, they'd be more eligible to host jobs that are current," Mills said. "I think we've left rural America behind, and that's something we really can't afford to do."

    Security and racial issues are of importance to Hudson, especially following the outbreak of riots in Charlotte, which borders the western edge of the district.

    "I've talked to people since the shooting in Charlotte, and there is a real fear among African-Americans of the police," Hudson said. "And it's real ... so I do think we need dialogue. I think we need understanding.

    "But on the other hand there's no excuse not to follow the directions of a police officer, and there's no reason to ever shoot or attack a police officer. We have to have respect for the law. We have to get people to come together and talk, somehow, and to understand each other, because it's just tragic what's happening all across the country," Hudson said.

    Social, racial, and mental health are also critical issues for Mills, who said he's seen far too many children and families slip through the cracks of the nation's welfare system.

    "I got to see rural poverty really up close and personal," Mills said, pointing to his work as a child neglect and abuse investigator. "A lot of times poverty is not a choice. It's quite often a function of things we don't see. Mental illness, substance abuse, developmental disability [are real problems], and I don't think we can leave those people behind."

    The support and education of children is critical to building up mental wellness and a stronger economic future, Mills added.

    While the candidates disagree on political issues, they concur that it's critical to represent constituents by staying in touch with reality.

    "I'd gotten so fed up with politicians saying one thing at home and then going another direction," Hudson said.

    "So I ran for office so I could fight for people," he said. "There are so many people out there that feel like they have no voice. And I've worked hard to be that voice. I've worked very hard to be accessible. I've worked very hard to take care of the needs of my constituents."

    Mills believes the congressman has grown too focused on pandering to special interests and large-scale donors.

    "I don't want to demonize anybody," Mills said. "I've met Richard Hudson and he's a nice guy. I don't think he's a bad person at all."

    However, Mills believes Hudson has "made some bad choices, and I think the biggest part of those choices is embracing the politics that have put us where we are. As the system's gotten more and more dysfunctional, he's gotten more and more successful, so there's no incentive for him to do things differently."