US House District 5 race in North Carolina still uncalled as Democratic challenger leads by 99 votes

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Democratic candidate Chuck Hubbard says he is preparing to serve in Congress, even as his U.S. House race against incumbent Republican Rep. Virginia Foxx remains too close to call.

Hubbard leads Foxx by 99 votes in North Carolina’s 5th congressional district, according to the latest results described in the campaign. As of Monday, Nov. 9, the Associated Press had not called the race.

Hubbard recalled the moment he learned he had pulled ahead on election night. He and his wife were leaving an election party around 1 a.m., he said, when supporters rushed out with the news.

“Jubilation. Absolute jubilation,” Hubbard said thinking back.

“We took a few steps out into the parking lot. And the door burst open and everyone was screaming we had gone ahead by 99 votes.”

Foxx has represented the district in the U.S. House for more than 20 years. The district includes northwestern North Carolina communities, including Boone and parts of the Greensboro area.

Despite the narrow margin and the uncalled race, Hubbard is already in Washington, D.C., for new member orientation.

“Getting set to kick off and do the things we need to do, and learn the things we need to learn, in order to hit the ground running,” he said.

Hubbard said he wants to address affordability, inflation and corruption.

He also said his daughter, Meredith, helped motivate his decision to run. After Donald Trump’s 2016 election victory, he said she called him upset about the potential for discrimination and the future of the Supreme Court’s Obergefell decision, which established a constitutional right to same-sex marriage.

“As a father that does something to you,” Hubbard said. “You can do a lot of things, but do not mess with my children.”

Hubbard said he expects provisional votes to be counted and released in the coming days. If Foxx requests a recount, he said he is ready to follow that process.

“We’re feeling good,” Hubbard said. “We expect to win this race.”