With Democrat Caleb Rudow challenging incumbent Chuck Edwards (Republican) for the NC District 11 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives (map), voters must determine which candidate best aligns with their values and priorities. Let’s examine the challenger’s legislative record and positions to assess his suitability for those who prioritize traditional values and fiscal responsibility.
Caleb Rudow’s Legislative Record and Stances
Many of the bills co-sponsored by Caleb Rudow in his current term as representative of N.C. House District 116 have been referred to the Committee on Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the N.C. House and have not yet become law. Below are some notable bills and their implications.
House Bill 19 – Codify Roe and Casey Protections: Rudow co-sponsored this bill, highlighting his support for abortion. HB19 seeks to codify abortion rights established by Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey into North Carolina law.
House Bill 191 – Popular Election of the President: Rudow co-sponsored this bill to eliminate the Electoral College. This position aligns with efforts to change the electoral system, bypassing the current constitutional framework.
House Bill 283 – Purchase Permit Requirement for Long Guns: Rudow’s primary sponsorship of this bill to extend background checks for long gun purchases reflects a stance on gun control that may not align with Second Amendment advocates.
House Bill 293 – Freedom to Vote: Rudow, along with Representatives Lindsey Prather (D-District 115) and Eric Ager (D-District 114), co-sponsored this bill, which aims to appropriate funds to the State Board of Elections for various purposes regarding voting. While it claims to improve voting access by establishing online voter registration and expanding early one-stop voting hours, it has raised concerns among those who prioritize voter integrity. Critics argue that extending early voting and making it more difficult to clean voter lists could undermine voter confidence and lead to potential inaccuracies and fraud.
House Bill 372 – Safeguard Fair Elections Act: Rudow and Ager sponsored this bill. While it claims to provide increased protections for voters and election officials against interference, intimidation, threats, or coercion, critics argue it might intimidate poll observers. Additionally, it appears to dictate the outcome of the election certification process, potentially disqualifying public officials who question election results. (Voter Integrity)
House Bill 439 – Remove Barriers to Access Abortion Act (RBG Act): Prather sponsored this bill, with Ager and Rudow as secondary sponsors. The bill seeks to remove barriers to abortion access, arguing that “restrictions disproportionately affect those facing systemic barriers” to healthcare, such as young people, people of color, individuals with low incomes, and those in rural areas.
House Bill 504 – Remove Barriers to Labor Organizing: Rudow supported this pro-union bill, which aims to provide labor organizations with the right to enter into labor agreements and repeal restrictions on labor organizing by public employees.
House Bill 626 – Cannabis Legalization & Regulation: Prather and Rudow supported this bill, which aims to legalize and regulate the sale, possession, and use of cannabis in North Carolina. The bill outlines a framework for licensing, regulating, and taxing cannabis and promoting responsible use. Additionally, it seeks to address social equity concerns related to past cannabis prohibition by providing opportunities and support for “communities disproportionately affected” by previous drug laws, including expungement of certain cannabis-related convictions and prioritizing licenses for businesses owned by individuals from those communities. Critics argue that rewarding individuals who knowingly broke the law by expunging their records and giving them advantages over those who did not break the law undermines the integrity of the legal system.
House Bill 738 – Safer Roads and Communities Act of 2023: Rudow and Prather sponsored this bill. The bill claims to “increase road and community safety” by authorizing the Division of Motor Vehicles to issue restricted driver’s licenses to immigrants with limited or no status. Critics argue that issuing official identification to individuals who cannot prove legal residency undermines immigration laws and public safety. Furthermore, the bill does not explicitly ensure that these individuals have valid and adequate automobile insurance or include protections against automatic voter registration for non-citizens. (Illegal Immigration)
House Bill 934 – Make State Employment Great Again: Rudow, Ager, and Prather sponsored this bill, which seeks to award state employees a five percent appreciation pay increase in the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 fiscal years, a one-time $5,000 bonus in the 2024-2025 fiscal year without any merit review. The bill also includes a two percent cost-of-living adjustment for retirees of the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System, the Consolidated Judicial Retirement System, and the Legislative Retirement System.
House Bill 993 – OPS Moratorium/OPS & PESA Accountability: Prather sponsored this bill, with Rudow and Ager as secondary sponsors. HB 993 seeks to strangle school choice by imposing a moratorium on new Opportunity Scholarships. This bill directly threatens school vouchers by restricting new awards and increasing regulatory oversight of nonpublic schools participating in the program.
House Bill 1000 – Protect Access to In Vitro Fertilization: Rudow, Prather, and Ager supported this bill, which aims to provide access to assisted reproductive technology rather than protecting existing access.
House Bill 1026 – Funds for N.C. Community Health Worker Association: Rudow sponsored this bill to fund a nonprofit supporting community health workers. Critics argue that the bill, which appropriates $1 million without detailed oversight mechanisms, raises questions about the efficient use of public funds.
Comparison with Chuck Edwards
Conservative Values: As a conservative, Chuck Edwards emphasizes traditional family values, opposing policies that promote abortion access. Rudow’s support for pro-abortion bills contrasts sharply with this position.
Gun Rights: Edwards champions Second Amendment protections. Rudow’s support for extended background checks on long guns suggests a more moderate or left-wing stance on gun control.
Fiscal Responsibility: Edwards prioritizes limited government spending and fiscal conservatism. Rudow’s support for numerous bills increasing public expenditure on healthcare, housing, and social services might conflict with views on budgetary restraint and government intervention.
Regulatory Policies: Edwards supports deregulation and free-market principles, whereas Rudow’s support for increased regulatory oversight might be seen as contrary to economic policies favoring deregulation.
Conclusion
Caleb Rudow’s legislative record showcases a commitment to liberal policies that may not align with the core values and priorities of those who prioritize traditional values and fiscal responsibility. His positions on reproductive rights, gun control, healthcare expansion, and regulatory oversight suggest a divergence from these traditional views. In contrast, Chuck Edwards’ consistent stance on family values, fiscal responsibility, and limited government intervention might better resonate with constituents in NC District 11.
For More Information:
To learn more about Caleb Rudow’s campaign and legislative record, visit his official website and review his complete voting history and sponsored bills. For information on Chuck Edwards’ positions and campaign, visit his official Congressional website.
Contact Information: Caleb Rudow Democrat – District 116, Buncombe
Legislative Office: 300 N. Salisbury Street, Rm. 504, Raleigh, NC 27603-5925
919-715-3012
Email: Caleb.Rudow@ncleg.gov
Call to Action
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