Who's In the Race

Kimberly Hardy and Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC) clashed Oct. 6 over Cape Fear Memorial Bridge funding. Hardy criticized Rouzer's vote against funding, while Rouzer emphasized his infrastructure record, according to the Wilmington StarNews. Rouzer faces Democrat Hardy and Libertarian Maad Abu-Ghazalah in North Carolina's 7th Congressional District on Tuesday, Nov. 3. ​

Rouzer has represented the district since 2015. Hardy is an associate professor of social work, while Abu-Ghazalah is a patent attorney and software entrepreneur. Rouzer defeated David Buzzard in the Republican primary with approximately 80%. Hardy was unopposed in the Democratic primary.

What They Stand For

Rouzer supports free-market policies, limited government and reducing regulations to encourage investment. He advocates federal agricultural programs supporting crop insurance, rural economic development, animal-disease prevention and agricultural research.

Hardy supports increasing federal funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and strengthening federal protections against PFAS contamination, including rural water testing and filtration. She opposes additional federal restrictions on mail-in voting and prioritizes federal funding for the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement. Hardy also proposes eliminating income taxes for people earning less than $46,000, financed through a graduated surtax on incomes exceeding $1 million.

Abu-Ghazalah supports national PFAS discharge limits and requiring polluters to finance cleanup. He favors meeting federal special-education funding commitments by redirecting overseas military spending and foreign aid. He opposes tolling the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge and supports reassessing its height requirements to reduce costs. He also favors shifting more responsibility for education and disaster response to states while retaining federal support for catastrophic emergencies. Abu-Ghazalah opposes additional war funding without explicit congressional authorization.

The Money Behind the Race

Federal Election Commission filings show Rouzer reported $1.99 million in receipts and $2.3 million in cash on hand through June 30. Hardy reported $293,818 in receipts and $65,017 in cash. Outside spending reportedly totaled $677 as of Oct. 8, including $508 supporting Hardy and $169 opposing Rouzer, all attributed to Rural Freedom Network.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

The Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball and Inside Elections rated the race Solid Republican as of Sept. 25, Sept. 29 and Oct. 2, respectively. On Kalshi, traders gave Republicans an 85.71% chance of winning as of Oct. 8, compared with 14.29% for Democrats.

Rouzer won approximately 58% in 2022 and 59% in 2024. Republicans won seven of North Carolina's 14 House seats in 2022 and 10 in 2024. Donald Trump carried the state with approximately 51% in 2024.

Regular voter registration closes Oct. 9 at 5 p.m. Same-day registration is available during early voting, Oct. 15-31. Absentee-ballot requests are due Oct. 20 at 5 p.m. Election Day polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

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