NRCC Chair Richard Hudson has a lot at stake on Nov. 5. The election results won’t only determine the balance of power in the House. They’ll also dictate Hudson’s own political future. So let’s get into it.
If House Republicans keep the majority — and certainly if they expand their razor-thin margin — the North Carolina Republican will have options, according to multiple senior GOP sources.
Hudson, a 52-year-old former House aide, could lead the House GOP’s campaign arm for another cycle. His colleagues would likely be eager to reward Hudson with two years helming the NRCC after a successful election if he wants it. But Hudson could also make a play for the House Energy and Commerce Committee chairmanship — a prized gavel that is up for grabs next Congress.
A committee chairmanship has more political longevity since Hudson could have the role for up to six years under House GOP rules. Not to mention that if former President Donald Trump wins, the 2026 midterms could be brutal for House Republicans since the party in charge of the White House tends to suffer during the next election. So the NRCC chair will have a difficult job, to say the least.
There’s no guarantee Hudson would get the Energy and Commerce gavel, although he’d be a strong contender. Hudson is not as senior as the other two Republicans – Reps. Brett Guthrie (Ky.) and Bob Latta (Ohio) — who have been openly running for the post for months. Plus, committee chairmanships aren’t doled out until after the NRCC post is decided, so it’s a risk for Hudson to pass up the NRCC job for a less certain bet.
If House Republicans lose the majority, however, it’s unclear what Hudson will do and whether he’ll have an obvious landing spot. But there will likely be plenty of finger-pointing inside the GOP, and the NRCC chair — whether fairly or not — will probably shoulder some of the blame.
For his part, Hudson says he’s solely focused on expanding the majority. And even some of Hudson’s closest allies are unsure of what he will do after November. “I am 100% focused on my job as NRCC chairman and serving the people of NC-09,” Hudson said in a statement. “I haven’t spent one second thinking about anything else.” Come on, not even one second?
Other NRCC contenders: Even as Hudson’s plans remain unknown, we have been hearing names of Republicans who are potentially interested in leading the NRCC next year, should there be an opening. Rep. Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.), a businessman who came to Congress in 2022, has been quietly exploring a bid, according to multiple GOP sources. A source close to Yakym confirmed he’d be interested but said his current focus is helping Hudson hold the majority.
Other names that have been floated include Rep. Kat Cammack (R-Fla.), vice chair of recruitment for the NRCC, and House GOP candidate Brian Jack, a former Trump adviser running for a safe red seat in Georgia. Jack also ran former Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s political operation. Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas), who is currently running for RSC chair, has raised a boatload of cash and many believe he’d be a strong NRCC chair. But it’s still far too early to know who will actually throw their hat into the ring.
One thing worth noting: The NRCC has never had a woman as chair. So it will be interesting to see whether that becomes a factor should a Republican woman jump into the race.