2022 Primary Season: Incumbent Congresswoman Virginia Foxx Draws Challenger Bo Hines in NC-5

RALEIGH – It never takes long. As soon as one election season ends, the next one begins. That truism comes to life this week as Bo Hines announces his candidacy for the 2022 election for North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District, challenging longtime incumbent Republican Congresswoman Virginia Foxx.

I’m thrilled to announce that I am running for Congress to represent the great people of North Carolina’s 5th district.

Over the next few months, I will be traveling across the district. I look forward to meeting every single one of you. Learn more at https://t.co/umP3I3igqd. pic.twitter.com/4QuOguokGY

— Bo Hines (@BoHines) January 20, 2021

Hines, a Yale grade with a juris doctor from Wake Forest Law, is running on an ‘America First’ agenda, giving us a taste of what is sure to many MAGA-flavored challenges to Establishment Republicans with long tenures in D.C.

On his campaign website Hines asserts that he is running:

“To fight for fair trade, creating and protecting good jobs and economic opportunities. To fight to invest in our infrastructure and negotiate quality affordable healthcare. To fight for regulation reform that simplifies business. To fight against the tyranny of mobs and big tech companies that want to take away our God-given rights. And to fight to make sure your vote is counted at the ballot box and your voice is heard in Washington DC.”

On his issues page, Hines talks low taxes and regulations, of course, but it’s the singling out of Big Tech and China that may resonate with conservatives facing a budding culture of censorship and apologists downplaying the threat of Communist China.

“Family Values/Right to Life
I’m pro-life. I believe that life begins at conception and that we must protect the rights of the unborn. I also believe in traditional marriage. We must fight to protect our core family values that are rooted in biblical principles.

Second Amendment
I’m pro-gun. We all deserve the right to protect ourselves, our families, and our property. The second amendment protects these and all of our other rights from tyranny. I’m a gun owner and an avid hunter and I will fight to defend the second amendment. 

Free Speech
Free speech is a constitutionally protected right, but it is also an important societal value. The culture of free speech is under assault in our country. We must reclaim the right to speak openly and honestly with one other so that we can have productive public discourse.

Big Tech
Big tech companies are silencing conservatives Americans. Politicians in Washington do not understand these issues and have failed to take action to protect our rights. We must hold these tech companies accountable and regulate them as public utilities.

China
China is the single greatest threat to the United States and global stability. China continues to steal our technology, cheat us in trade, and threaten our key allies in Asia. China willfully concealed crucial information about the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to thousands of deaths in the US. I will advocate for policies that hold the Chinese government accountable. […]”

Hines is relatively young, which means inexperience to some or fresh leadership to others. The question is, as always, can Hines raise the money to compete with a multiple term incumbent who special interests are inclined to help keep in power.

What’s more, with the 2020 census likely resulting in a new, 14th, congressional district forming in the Old North State sometime this year. That means select current districts could face significant adjustments as the new one is carved out. Will that change the district in Hines’ favor? In Foxx’s? Will it, like the last congressional redistricting, give Democrats a fighting chance?

We’ll keep following as those questions are answered, and we’ll bring you more from Hines and other inevitable primary challengers as the 2022 campaign season heats up.