Jesse Oppenheim
From Ballotpedia
Jesse Oppenheim (Democratic Party) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent North Carolina's 8th Congressional District. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.[source]
Oppenheim completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Elections
2026
See also: North Carolina's 8th Congressional District election, 2026
Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
General election for U.S. House North Carolina District 8
Incumbent Mark Harris, Justin Bunting, Kevin Clark, and Jesse Oppenheim are running in the general election for U.S. House North Carolina District 8 on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Mark Harris (R) | |
Justin Bunting (D)  | ||
| Kevin Clark (D) | ||
 | Jesse Oppenheim (D) | |
| ||||
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Endorsements
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Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Jesse Oppenheim completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Oppenheim's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I’m Jesse Oppenheim, a husband, a father, and an attorney who’s spent his career solving complex problems and standing up for what’s right. I I’m not a career politician. I’ve led legal departments, advised executives, and worked at the intersection of healthcare and technology to help make systems more efficient and accessible. Now I’m stepping up to serve because I believe our district, and our country, deserve leaders who listen, show up, and deliver results with integrity.
My family and I live in Charlotte, where I’ve been deeply involved in the local community for years. I’ve chaired nonprofit boards, stayed active in my community, and mentored young professionals. I know what it’s like to balance a demanding job with raising a family, and I know how much government decisions affect our daily lives.
I’m running for Congress to bring common sense back to Washington. That means fighting for affordable healthcare, protecting democracy, rebuilding infrastructure, and making sure working families aren’t left behind. I’m running because I believe we can do better, and I’m ready to prove it.- End Congressional Stock Trading. I’m running to restore trust in government and that starts with banning members of Congress from trading individual stocks. Too many politicians treat public office like a path to private profit. I’ve spent my career building accountability into complex systems, and I believe in holding leaders to the same rules as everyone else. This isn’t a partisan issue. It’s a common-sense reform supported by Americans across the political spectrum. If you’re making laws, you shouldn’t be making stock picks. I’m not running to play the game, I’m running to change the rules.
- Fix healthcare so it works for real people. I’m General Counsel to a medical billing software company, trying to assist patients and doctors navigate one of the most complex, and expensive, systems in America. I’ve seen how red tape and bad policy hurt patients and providers alike. In Congress, I’ll fight for affordable, accessible healthcare that puts people first, starting with expanding Medicaid, capping drug prices, and protecting rural hospitals from closure. No one should go broke to see a doctor or lose their job because they got sick.
- Invest in infrastructure and opportunity. From crumbling roads to unreliable internet, too many communities in our district are being held together with duct tape and prayers. I’m running to bring real investment back home, into roads, bridges, school buildings, clean water, and broadband. Infrastructure isn’t just about concrete, it’s about opportunity. Good schools, safe streets, and strong local economies start with the basics. I’ve spent my career solving problems, cutting through red tape, and making systems work. In Congress, I’ll fight to bring those same skills to rebuild what’s been neglected for far too long.
I’m drawn to public policy that protects people from being crushed by systems they can’t control, whether it’s the healthcare maze, a rigged economy, or a government that feels out of touch. I’m especially focused on ethics in government, affordable healthcare, and preparing for the impact of AI and automation on working families. I believe in practical solutions, not performative politics. I want to make it easier for people to live with dignity. Policy should be about solving problems and I’m running to do just that.
I’d recommend the film Dave, the 1993 film where Kevin Kline plays a regular guy who ends up impersonating the President and accidentally starts doing the job better. It reminds us that government should be about people, not power. That honesty matters. That budgets reflect values. And that public service should actually serve the public. I don’t think politics needs more performance or partisanship. It needs more common sense, decency, and humility. That movie captured something I still believe: the right person doesn’t need to be perfect. They just need to care enough to try.
Elected officials should lead with integrity, humility, and a sense of responsibility to the people they serve, not to special interests or their own careers. That means showing up, listening more than talking, and doing the hard, unglamorous work of governing. It means telling the truth, even when it’s not popular, and making decisions based on what’s right, not what’s politically convenient. Public service isn’t about building a brand or chasing clicks. It’s about solving problems, earning trust, and remembering that the job belongs to the people, not the person in the seat.
Elected officials are public servants and they need to focus on the 2nd word in that phrase.
Elected officials are public servants and they need to focus on the 2nd word in that phrase.
I believe my curiosity and work ethic will make me a successful Congressman. I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but I do know how to show up, do the work, and solve problems that matter. I take responsibility seriously. I listen. I ask hard questions. And I try to focus on what’s real, not what looks good in a press release. I believe government should work for people, and that it’s our job to prove it, not just say it. That means understanding systems, following through, and being honest about what’s possible and what needs to change. I’m running because I believe Congress needs fewer performers and more grown-ups, people who understand systems, who tell the truth, and who aren’t afraid to do the work it takes to govern.
The core responsibilities of a member of Congress are to listen to their constituents, pass laws that improve people’s lives, and hold the federal government accountable. That means showing up and not just during campaign season. It means doing the work: writing legislation, building coalitions, and fighting for resources back home. It also means protecting our democracy, defending the rule of law, voting rights, and the peaceful transfer of power. This job isn’t about noise or headlines. It’s about representing people with integrity, solving problems, and earning trust every day.
I don’t need buildings named after me or a statue on a lawn. I want my legacy to be that I helped make government work a little better for the people who needed it most. That I showed up, told the truth, and took the responsibility seriously. If I can help restore trust in public service, if I can help someone get healthcare, afford child care, or stay in their home when the system would’ve let them fall through the cracks, then I’ll feel like I did something worth doing. I want to be remembered not for the headlines, but for the people who felt heard, the communities that were served, and the work that actually got done.
I remember my mom taking me to vote for Michael Dukakis in 1988. I was just a little over three, but I remember the feeling of it being important, like we were doing something grown-up and serious. I have a clearer memory of my parents watching coverage of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. I didn’t understand the full significance at the time, but I could tell it mattered, that the world was changing in a big way.
My VERY first job was picking figs in my grandparents backyard in Jackson, Mississippi. My grandparents wanted to teach me the value of a dollar, but it mostly taught me the value of air conditioning once I got back inside!
I guess it was a part-time job that I never really quit. At 96, my grandmother is still in Jackson and, when I go to visit, I sometimes still pick figs. She might owe me some back-pay though... Because she's my grandmother, I won't try to adjust for inflation.
I guess it was a part-time job that I never really quit. At 96, my grandmother is still in Jackson and, when I go to visit, I sometimes still pick figs. She might owe me some back-pay though... Because she's my grandmother, I won't try to adjust for inflation.
I'm not ashamed of being a little bit of a nerd, so I'll go with Jean-Luc Picard of Star Trek: The Next Generation. He’s thoughtful, principled, and steady in a crisis. He listens, learns, and leads with integrity. He doesn’t confuse authority with ego. He earns respect by earning trust. Picard knows how to navigate conflict without rushing to escalate it. He holds the line when it matters, but he also knows when to challenge his own assumptions. He surrounds himself with people who are brilliant in their own right, and he knows his job isn’t to be the smartest in the room. It’s to make sure the right decision gets made, no matter where it comes from.
I have a 4-and-a-half-year-old daughter, so Frozen is pretty much the soundtrack of my life. Even though I live in North Carolina, and, yes, I would like to build a snowman… after the 400th time hearing it, I’m starting to have second thoughts.
The House is meant to be the people’s chamber: closer to voters, quicker to respond, and more accountable. Every two years, Members have to face their constituents and explain what they’ve done. That level of accountability makes the House uniquely responsive, but it also demands a focus on real results, not just rhetoric. The House holds the power of the purse and plays a key role in oversight. It’s where the nation’s most urgent issues often surface first. I believe it should be a place where public service means listening, problem-solving, and earning trust every single day. That’s the kind of Member I intend to be.
Sure, experience in government can be beneficial. It helps you understand the process and build relationships. But it’s not a requirement. What matters most is character, judgment, and a willingness to do the work. Some of the best leaders come from outside the political system because they bring fresh perspectives and real-world experience. I’ve spent my career as an attorney solving problems, navigating complex systems, and holding people accountable. Those skills translate directly to effective public service. Congress doesn’t need more insiders. It needs more people who know how to listen, lead, and get things done.
Our greatest challenges are trust, transition, and investment.
First, we have a crisis of trust. People don’t believe government works for them anymore, and that’s dangerous in a democracy. We’re struggling with truth itself. Misinformation and polarization are tearing us apart. If we can’t agree on basic facts, we can’t solve real problems.
Second, we’re navigating massive transitions: AI, climate change, global instability, and the shifting nature of work. We need leaders who can manage change with foresight and integrity.
Two years is a short term by design. The House is meant to be the chamber closest to the people, and frequent elections keep representatives directly accountable to their constituents. That said, the short term does make long-term policymaking harder. Members are under constant pressure to campaign instead of govern. I believe the way to make that work is by showing up, staying connected to the district, and focusing less on headlines and more on results. If the job requires re-earning voters’ trust every two years, then I’m ready to do the work it takes to earn it again and again.
I understand why people support term limits. There’s real frustration with career politicians who lose touch with the people they represent. But in my view, we already have term limits. They’re called elections. Voters should have the right to choose who represents them, and that includes re-electing someone who’s doing the job well. The better fix isn’t an arbitrary cutoff. It’s ending practices that erode public trust, like congressional stock trading and gerrymandering. Let’s make the system more fair and accountable, and then trust voters to decide who stays and who goes. That’s how democracy should work.
It’s a bit of an older example, but I’ve always admired Tip O’Neill, Speaker of the House from 1977 to 1987, who embodied a kind of leadership that feels increasingly rare today. O’Neill wasn’t flashy and he didn’t posture. He believed that politics was fundamentally about people and he governed that way. Speaker O’Neill showed that you could fight hard for your values and still work across the aisle without compromising your integrity. He had real policy disagreements with President Reagan, and yet the two men could work together when it mattered. That’s what governing in a democracy should look like.
I’ve heard a lot of stories while traveling the district, and I’ve been struck by how many working people feel like they’re doing everything right and still falling behind. It’s hard to pick just one. But one that’s stayed with me is a mother who relies on Medicaid to provide at-home care for her disabled daughter. Without that support, she’d have to leave her job to become a full-time caregiver. And without a job, she wouldn’t be able to afford any care at all. It’s a heartbreaking cycle, and a vivid reminder of why we need a government that puts people first.
Yes, I believe compromise is both necessary and desirable in policymaking because governing in a democracy means working with people you don’t always agree with. That doesn’t mean abandoning your values. It means knowing the difference between core principles and negotiating details. I’ve spent my legal career solving complex problems by building consensus among people with competing interests. The best outcomes aren’t always about winning arguments, they’re about delivering results. We need fewer grandstanders and more workhorses in Congress. I’m running to get things done, not just make a point.
The power to establish how we spend money defines our national priorities. If elected, I’ll use that responsibility to fight for a budget that reflects the needs of real people, not special interests. That means investing in healthcare, infrastructure, education, and clean energy, not tax breaks for billionaires. A budget is more than numbers, it’s a statement of who we serve and what we value.
The House’s investigative powers are critical to its role as a check on executive overreach and a guardian of public trust. Because of that, they should be used responsibly, guided by facts, not headlines. Investigations should hold people in power accountable, root out corruption, and ensure that taxpayer dollars are being used as intended. They should not be used to score political points, intimidate opponents, or manufacture outrage for cable news.
We’ve seen too many congressional hearings devolve into partisan grandstanding or personal attacks. That does a disservice to the seriousness of the job, which distracts from the real work of identifying problems and finding solutions. Oversight shouldn’t be about gotcha moments. It should be about truth, transparency, and results.
We’ve seen too many congressional hearings devolve into partisan grandstanding or personal attacks. That does a disservice to the seriousness of the job, which distracts from the real work of identifying problems and finding solutions. Oversight shouldn’t be about gotcha moments. It should be about truth, transparency, and results.
I’m especially interested in committees focused on healthcare, economic fairness, and rural development. I’d be honored to serve on the Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees healthcare policy, consumer protection, and broadband access. As General Counsel to a healthcare software company, I’d bring practical insight into how we can make the system work better for patients and providers. I’m also interested in the Agriculture Committee, which plays a vital role in supporting rural economies, food security, and infrastructure in districts like mine. Longer-term, I’d welcome the chance to help shape tax and budget policy to make government work for working people.
I believe public trust is earned through transparency and accountability, especially when it comes to money and power. That’s why I support banning congressional stock trading, closing loopholes in campaign finance, and strengthening enforcement of ethics rules. Members of Congress should play by the same rules as everyone else and be held accountable when they don’t. In Congress, I’ll fight for stronger watchdogs, clearer disclosure laws, and a government that’s worthy of the people it serves.
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Campaign finance summary
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See also
2026 Elections
External links
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Candidate U.S. House North Carolina District 8 |
Personal |
Footnotes
Senators
Ted Budd (R)
Thom Tillis (R)
Representatives
District 1
Donald Davis (D)
District 2
Deborah Ross (D)
District 3
Gregory Murphy (R)
District 4
Valerie Foushee (D)
District 5
Virginia Foxx (R)
District 6
Addison McDowell (R)
District 7
David Rouzer (R)
District 8
Mark Harris (R)
District 9
Richard Hudson (R)
District 10
Pat Harrigan (R)
District 11
Chuck Edwards (R)
District 12
Alma Adams (D)
District 13
Brad Knott (R)
District 14
Timothy Moore (R)
Republican Party (12)
Democratic Party (4)
