Hubbard leads Foxx by 99 votes in North Carolina's 5th District

Election results in North Carolina's 5th District

Democrat Chuck Hubbard leads Republican incumbent Virginia Foxx by 99 votes in North Carolina's 5th Congressional District, according to unofficial results after Election Day. Hubbard received 48.7% of the vote, while Foxx won 48.66%. Libertarian candidate Robert Luffman has about 2.64% of the vote, according to the North Carolina State Board of Elections.

All 230 precincts have reported, but the counting process is not over. Military and overseas ballots are accepted if they arrive by Nov. 12. Foxx, 83, said Wednesday that overseas and provisional ballots have yet to be counted.

"Free and fair elections are a cornerstone of our healthy republic," Foxx said. "The voters exercised their American rights and cast their ballots. I am so grateful for all those who took the time to vote in this election."

Hubbard claims victory

Hubbard, 64, acknowledged the close margin in a statement that claimed victory in the race. He said he was proud to have been selected by voters and looked forward to working on issues including Hurricane Helene recovery and lowering costs for families in his district.

"Last night's results came out extremely close, which means we will have to fight for this seat," Hubbard said. "I trust the Board of Elections to complete their work correctly and fairly."

Recount rules and certification timeline

The race could be decided through a recount. State law allows a candidate in a non-statewide race to request a recount when the margin is less than 1% of the total votes cast. County election boards need to complete their canvasses before the results can be certified. The county canvasses are scheduled to be finished by Nov. 13 in North Carolina. After that, the losing candidate can request a recount.

Foxx has represented the district since 2005, winning 11 consecutive general elections in the district. She defeated Hubbard in 2024 by a much larger margin, winning about 60% of the vote. The 5th district stretches across northwestern North Carolina, including areas like Watauga County and Boone, and has historically favored Republicans. It's long been considered one of the state's safest GOP seats.

Sources

• nbcnews.com: North Carolina House District 5 Midterm Election 2026: Live Results
• nytimes.com: North Carolina Fifth Congressional District 2026: Live Election Results, Foxx vs. Hubbard - The New York Times
• ncnewsline.com: US Rep. Virginia Foxx says vote count isn't over as she trails Dem in NC's 5th District • NC Newsline

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.