Scoop: Richard Hudson launches NRCC reelection bid

• In a Dear Colleague letter obtained by Axios, the North Carolina Republican argued they "were clear-eyed about our liabilities and opportunities, we developed a game plan, and we executed it with your buy-in and support."
• Republicans are expected to narrowly hold the House despite forecasters previously projecting a number of swing seats to lean Democratic.

What he's saying: Hudson argued that they will need a "steady hand" to "defy history" and keep the House in 2026, argued his work recruiting strong, diverse candidates and fundraising programs funneling money into battlegrounds helped them flip "seats in PA, MI, and beyond."

• "History tells us that midterm elections for the party that controls the White House are challenging. We know Democrats will do anything to win. In 2024, they spent $554 million to spread lies about our Members – in this midterm they will spend even more," he wrote.
• "Without a steady hand and seasoned leadership at the NRCC, Democrats could steal this majority and spend the final two years of President Trump's term bogging down his agenda with sham investigations and impeachments. We cannot let that happen," he added.

The bottom line: Reps. Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.) and Kat Cammack (R-Fla.) expressed interest in the role, but dethroning Hudson would be difficult after the GOP's successes this cycle if they opt to throw their hat in the ring.

• Hudson was previously seen as a potential contender to take over the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, but opted to seek a second NRCC term instead.
• If House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) is tapped for an administration position, members eyeing the NRCC job could potentially launch a bid for her position.
• House Republicans are slated to hold their leadership elections on Nov. 13.