In the night‑time tally for North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District, incumbent Rep. Virginia Foxx (R‑Banner Elk) leads Democratic challenger Chuck Hubbard of Wilkes County by just 99 votes. Foxx posted a 47.66% share of the vote, while Hubbard earned 48.00%, with Libertarian Robert Luffman receiving 2.64%.
Recount threshold reached
North Carolina law allows a candidate to request a recount when the margin between the top two vote‑getters is less than one percent of the total votes cast. The current gap meets that standard, and Foxx has already filed a formal recount request in a Facebook post dated Nov. 5.
Background and recent history
Foxx has represented the 5th District since 2005 and has never faced a competitive challenger until now. In her three most recent elections she captured more than 60% of the vote. In 2024 she defeated Hubbard by 19 percentage points, a race that coincided with a strong showing for President Trump, who carried the district by 18 points.
The district, redrawn in October 2025 after President Trump called for new maps, stretches from parts of Guilford County—including sections of the Greensboro metro area—to the mountainous counties of Ashe and Watauga. The varied geography makes representation a complex task, as noted by Western Carolina University political‑science professor Christopher Cooper.
Key issues driving the contest
Both candidates highlighted recovery from Tropical Storm Helene, which devastated western North Carolina. The federal government has provided $11 billion, while Governor John Stein has asked for an additional $10 billion. Hubbard pledged to secure more recovery funds and protect programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. Foxx, who re‑introduced the Disaster Recovery and Resilience Act on Oct. 1, argues she has cut red tape and accelerated the unfinished recovery process.
Fundraising also reflected the competitive nature of the race. Federal Election Commission filings show Hubbard raised $863,260 as of Oct. 14, while Foxx raised $2,189,052.
What’s next?
Provisional ballots and late‑arriving absentee ballots from service members and overseas voters must be received by Nov. 12 to be counted. The state and county canvasses are scheduled for later this month, with official results expected after the Nov. 13 canvass deadline.
If the recount confirms Foxx’s lead, she will continue serving as the longest‑standing member of North Carolina’s congressional delegation and as chair of the House Rules Committee. If the recount flips the outcome, the 5th District could see its first Democratic representative in over two decades.
Original reporting: Carolina Public Press — read the source article.
