To help voters learn which candidates are on their ballot and where they stand on important policy issues, The News & Observer is publishing candidate questionnaires in all state and federal races in North Carolina on the March 3, 2026, ballot.

Three Republicans and two Democrats are running in the March 3 primary hoping to replace Rep. Virginia Foxx, a Republican from Banner Elk, North Carolina, in Congress.

Foxx, 82, has served in Congress since 2005, making her the state’s longest-serving member, and she is seeking another term. Her district stretches from the far northwest mountains into Forsyth and Rockingham counties.

Democrats include Kyah Creekmore and Chuck Hubbard. The Republicans include Steve Girard, Joey Osborne and Chad Williams.

Below are the candidates running for U.S. House District 5 who responded to our questionnaire in order by the date their responses were received. Some candidates did not provide a photo.

Osborne and Foxx did not respond to the questionnaire.

Kyah Creekmore

Age as of March 3, 2026: 24

Political party: Democrat

Campaign website: kyahcreekmore.org

Current occupation: Unemployed

Professional experience: My professional experience is rooted in working-class jobs across retail and logistics, including Target, Walmart, Amazon and UPS. I have worked under low wages, productivity quotas and unstable scheduling. That experience gives me firsthand understanding of how federal labor, health care and economic policy actually impact working people in real life.

Education: I attended N.C. A&T State University, studying industrial engineering, which shaped how I think about systems, efficiency and real-world problem-solving.

Please list any notable government or civic involvement: I did not come up through traditional political institutions. Since launching my campaign, I have been deeply involved in community activism and local organizing, engaging directly with residents, students and grassroots efforts to build participation and hold leadership accountable.

What would be your top priority if elected? My top priority would be delivering universal health care. It would provide immediate relief to families by eliminating private insurance premiums and reducing monthly costs, while guaranteeing care as a right. A system funded fairly through taxes would be more efficient, comprehensive and humane. By proving government can materially improve people’s lives, we can rebuild trust and expand what Americans believe is possible when we invest in policies that benefit the majority.

Republican and Democratic candidates often explain the state of the economy differently. How do you see it and what, if anything, would you do that you believe would improve it? The economy may look strong on paper, but it does not feel strong for working people. Wages have not kept up with the cost of housing, health care, food and utilities. I believe the economy should be measured by whether families can afford to live. I would focus on lowering household costs, raising wages, strengthening labor protections and directing federal investment to communities rather than corporate shareholders.

In 2025, Congress caused the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. What should members of Congress do to prevent this in the future and how important is it for Congress to pass a budget? Congress must stop treating human lives as bargaining chips. Preventing shutdowns requires passing budgets on time, holding members accountable for failing basic duties, and addressing conflicts long before deadlines. Shutdowns force harm by cutting paychecks, services and health care access. Legislating should rely on good-faith negotiation, not manufactured crises that punish working people.

Lawmakers have been at odds on Capitol Hill over health care coverage for Americans. Where do you stand on Medicaid coverage and Affordable Care Act subsidies? I support universal health care as the ultimate goal. ACA subsidies and Medicaid expansion are the best alternatives we currently have, but they are stopgaps. As the wealthiest nation on earth, we should adopt a single, universal system that is more efficient, fiscally responsible, and delivers better outcomes per dollar. Medicare for All is the standard we should be moving toward.

Should the president go before Congress before taking military action in foreign countries? Yes, every single time. The Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war. No president should unilaterally launch military action that risks lives, global stability and taxpayer resources. Decisions that affect 340 million Americans and international peace must be debated and authorized by Congress. That is democracy and accountability.

Do you support the tactics that the Trump administration has used in immigration enforcement? Do you believe the immigration crackdown has had collateral effects for residents with legal status? I do not support these immigration enforcement tactics. They are ongoing, punitive and violent, tearing apart families and resulting in preventable deaths and unlawful detentions, including of people with legal status. This crackdown is not about safety. It is a political distraction, diverting public attention from accountability failures, including the continued delay of releasing Epstein-related records. Immigration is not the crisis. Intentionally poor legal process and state violence is.

Do you believe oversight of public education should be left up to individual states? Absolutely not. Public education must be federally protected and standardized to ensure every child receives an objective, inclusive education. States should not be allowed to impose religious mandates, censor history, ban books, or silence teachers based on ideology. A federal education board staffed by experienced educators and scholars should ensure accurate history, quality instruction, and equal opportunity nationwide, regardless of partisan state leadership.

Is there an issue on which you disagree with your party? What is your position on that issue? Yes. I disagree with Democratic leadership, specifically Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries. Their approach is too cautious and ineffective in confronting authoritarianism, oligarchy, and corporate monopolies. Even in the minority, we have leverage that is underused. I reject prioritizing appeasing centrists over clearly naming and challenging the forces harming working people.

Chuck Hubbard

Age as of March 3, 2026: 63

Political party: Democrat

Campaign website: https://hubbardforcongress.com/

Current occupation: Retired

Professional experience: Wilkes Journal Patriot, 40 years.

Education: Wofford College

Please list any notable government or civic involvement.: Board member, Wilkes Recovery Revolution member, Wilkes Child Abuse Prevention team member and Wilkes Prison Ministry.

What would be your top priority if elected? My top priority is to represent working class people. Costs are rising, wages aren’t keeping up with inflation and small businesses can’t compete with corporations. Meanwhile, Congress just continues the bidding of mega corporations and the richest among us. I’m running to tell Congress it’s not about them, it’s about you.

Republican and Democratic candidates often explain the state of the economy differently. How do you see it and what, if anything, would you do that you believe would improve it? I recognize that families are facing tough times. Prices are increasing and the cost of living is steadily rising. We need to acknowledge that families are struggling, and we need to increase wages to a livable standard. Additionally, I will be supporting bills like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which has helped North Carolina receive investment funds that have created jobs across the counties in the 5th district. The creation of quality, livable wage jobs will be a priority.

In 2025, Congress caused the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. What should members of Congress do to prevent this in the future and how important is it for Congress to pass a budget? Passing a budget is a top priority for Congress. Members of Congress have to remember that every day that a budget isn’t passed, people are going without, and we can’t allow that to happen. To prevent long government shutdowns in the future, there shouldn’t be spectacles made or party feuds. The main focus should be getting the work done and making agreements, which is what I plan to do in those situations.

Lawmakers have been at odds on Capitol Hill over health care coverage for Americans. Where do you stand on Medicaid coverage and Affordable Care Act subsidies? The state of health care is in crisis. Hospitals are closing, particularly in rural areas, due to lack of funds. Patients wait too long to be treated, resulting in unnecessary deaths. Health care access must be expanded. We need a strong public health insurance option, allowing younger and presumably healthier, people to pay into the system rather than focusing solely on profit margins. ACA subsidies are essential and lawmakers should be moving fast to reinstate them to help millions of people.

Should the president go before Congress before taking military action in foreign countries? Yes. We have three branches in our government to balance the power. If the president isn’t following the structure of our institutions by going to Congress before taking military action in foreign countries, they’re overstepping their power.

Do you support the tactics that the Trump administration has used in immigration enforcement? Do you believe the immigration crackdown has had collateral effects for residents with legal status? I do not support the tactics that the Trump administration has used in immigration enforcement. The conduct we’re seeing from ICE is despicable. The tactics we’re seeing aren’t contributing to public safety but sparking fear among many. People, regardless of legal status, are losing trust in the administration’s ability to crack down on immigration and remain humane. Congress should be holding the Trump administration accountable, and more training needs to be provided to field agents.

Do you believe oversight of public education should be left up to individual states? I believe that oversight of public education should be left up to individual states, however, it is up to our federal government to make sure that public schools can operate to the best of their abilities which means increasing funding for our public schools and access to community colleges, trade schools, and universities.

Is there an issue on which you disagree with your party? What is your position on that issue? Throughout my 40 years of working at the Wilkes Journal Patriot, I prided myself on being unbiased and sticking to the facts. Right now it’s a fact that members of both parties have used their positions to get wealthy off of inside knowledge, and that just has to end. Even as a member of Congress, I will stick to the same principles I’ve followed my entire life, no matter where my party lies on an issue.

Steve Girard

Age as of March 3, 2026: 63

Political party: Republican

Campaign website: SteveGirardforCongress.com

Current occupation: Retired

Professional experience: 40 years in the private sector

Education: Bachelor of business administration in risk management and insurance from the University of Georgia.

Please list any notable government or civic involvement: American Heart Association. Richmond Symphony, Safe Harbor, Venezuela Now, Brantley Center. Established six university scholarships for minorities

What would be your top priority if elected? Affordable housing and jobs. They go hand-in-hand for our district.

Republican and Democratic candidates often explain the state of the economy differently. How do you see it and what, if anything, would you do that you believe would improve it? The economy is doing well overall, but our district is missing out. I want to fix that. More federal help directly to the counties that need it.

In 2025, Congress caused the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. What should members of Congress do to prevent this in the future and how important is it for Congress to pass a budget? Quit the name-calling and hyperbole. Do the job you were elected to do.

Lawmakers have been at odds on Capitol Hill over health care coverage for Americans. Where do you stand on Medicaid coverage and Affordable Care Act subsidies? So far only the health care companies seem better off. The entire delivery system and reimbursement system needs to be overhauled.

Should the president go before Congress before taking military action in foreign countries? Depends. He has broad authority.

Do you support the tactics that the Trump administration has used in immigration enforcement? Do you believe the immigration crackdown has had collateral effects for residents with legal status? I support ICE and I support enforcing our laws. The collateral effects are the result of the left.

Do you believe oversight of public education should be left up to individual states? Yes.

Is there an issue on which you disagree with your party? What is your position on that issue? I don’t think we disagree, but an issue that needs more attention is the issue of property taxes. Especially for the elderly.

Roman “Chad” Williams II

Age as of March 3, 2026: 58

Political party: Republican

Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/chad.williams.362138?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Current occupation: General contractor

Professional experience: Experienced professional with a diverse background as an environmental consultant, soldier, teacher, defense contractor and general contractor, combining strategic, technical, and leadership skills across multiple industries to deliver results in complex and challenging environments.

Education: Bachelor of science in biology from Western Carolina University; completed coursework toward a master of business administration at Liberty University.

Please list any notable government or civic involvement.: U.S. Army veteran, Desert Storm, Germany, Cold War, providing leadership and operational support. Separately, 11 years of civic leadership with F3, a civilian volunteer fitness organization — launching areas of operations, serving as site qualified, mentoring participants, coaching youth football, basketball and golf, and volunteering with church missions, including Hurricane Helene relief.

What would be your top priority if elected? My top priority would be protecting constitutional rights, supporting veterans and military families, strengthening local communities through education and infrastructure, and promoting accountable, transparent government that serves all citizens effectively.

Republican and Democratic candidates often explain the state of the economy differently. How do you see it and what, if anything, would you do that you believe would improve it? The economy faces challenges in inflation, debt and workforce development. I would prioritize fiscal responsibility, support small businesses, invest in workforce training and encourage innovation to drive growth, create jobs and ensure a stable, thriving economy for all Americans.

In 2025, Congress caused the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. What should members of Congress do to prevent this in the future and how important is it for Congress to pass a budget? I think this begins with a willingness to work across the aisle to find compromise to be able to gain consensus on budgets that will work for the 5th district. And if there’s legislation passed that ties congressional pay to government shutdowns, this could be much more effective.

Lawmakers have been at odds on Capitol Hill over health care coverage for Americans. Where do you stand on Medicaid coverage and Affordable Care Act subsidies? Congress can help lower health care costs by holding insurance companies and pharmaceutical billionaires accountable for price-gouging. Increasing competition, transparency and consumer-driven options, while reducing unnecessary regulations, will help ensure Americans pay less for insurance and out-of-pocket medical care.

Should the president go before Congress before taking military action in foreign countries? Following the example of my ancestor, Sen. Willie P. Mangum, who opposed increasing executive power, I believe the president should consult and receive authorization from Congress before taking military action abroad, ensuring accountability, upholding the Constitution, and maintaining proper checks and balances.

Do you support the tactics that the Trump administration has used in immigration enforcement? Do you believe the immigration crackdown has had collateral effects for residents with legal status? I support strong, lawful immigration enforcement to protect our borders and uphold the rule of law, but I do not approve of federal overreach by ICE or actions that infringe on constitutional rights. Enforcement must be precise, fair, and respectful of residents with legal status.

Do you believe oversight of public education should be left up to individual states? Yes. I believe oversight of public education should remain with individual states, which are best positioned to understand local needs and priorities. Federal involvement should be limited to ensuring constitutional rights and equal access, while leaving curriculum, standards and administration primarily under state control.

Is there an issue on which you disagree with your party? What is your position on that issue? I do not support the claim that the 2020 election was stolen. Multiple audits, court rulings and official certifications confirmed the results and extensive legal challenges produced no evidence of widespread fraud that would change the outcome. Leaders must reject falsehoods and focus on strengthening election integrity.

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