Richard N. Ojeda II, an army veteran and grandson of a Mexican immigrant, seeks to represent the District 9 of North Carolina in the United States House of Representatives.
District 9, located in the south-central part of the state, combines urban, suburban, and rural areas.
In Democratic primary on Tuesday, March 3Ojeda II will face Loren Bibler, Nigel Bristow and Lent Carr.
Whoever wins the election will face current Republican Congressman Richard Hudson in November.
A family story
Ojeda II, who identifies as a member of the Latino community, has built his campaign around his personal story.
He says his grandfather came from Mexico in search of work and ended up in the steel mills of Chicago before moving to coal mines.
Ojeda II recalls that this family experience, combined with his 24 years in the army, influenced his decision to run for office.
“I am a proud member of the Latino community,” he stated in an interview with Enlace Latino NC “Our story is as American as anyone’s.”
Immigration
Ojeda has said that his top priority would be to change federal immigration policy. He criticized the raids recent events and the role of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“That is not the America I defended,” he said, referring to his years of military service.
It proposes withdrawing funds from ICE in its current form and rebuilding the agency under standards of transparency and respect for due process.
It also supports a "clear and earned path to citizenship" for people who have lived and worked in the country for years.
“The only difference between my grandfather when he arrived and the people who are being attacked today is time,” he said.
Economist
The second focus of his campaign is the cost of livingOjeda argues that many working families are being hit hard by the price increases.
It proposes exempting the first $45 of income from taxes and linking the federal minimum wage to inflation.
" inflation "It moves in one direction and the wages stay put," he stated.
He also commented that he will seek to protect programs such as Medicaid and review the federal tax structure.
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Veterans and public safety
After more than two decades in the army and combat deployments, Ojeda presents the defense of veterans as a central commitment.
“We made a promise to those who wore the uniform, and that promise does not expire when they take it off,” he said.
In his commitment, Ojeda II will seek to secure full funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and expand services. mental health.
On public safety, he has described himself as a gun owner and Second Amendment supporter, but he supports universal background checks and federal secure storage laws.
>>> Learn more about Richard Ojeda's proposals by visiting ojedafornc.com
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*This article is part of the 'Your Vote Is Power' initiative in the special series “Meet the Latino Candidates” de Enlace Latino NC.
PODCAST
After the storm
A year ago, Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina. The Latino community responded with something stronger than the storm: solidarity.
🎧 In this episode, learn how Latino organizations transformed crisis into resilience.
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