Adams and Codiga Clashed at Candidate Forum
The two candidates for the 12th Congressional District seat sparred over foreign funding records in Charlotte.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Judaism
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Representative Alma Adams and challenger Jack Codiga confronted one another during a candidate forum at Charlotte's Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. The heated exchange centered on Representative Adams' voting record regarding financial aid packages for Israel.
Why it matters
The confrontation highlighted tensions regarding the 12th District's stance on foreign policy, specifically contrasting Representative Adams' legislative support for aid against calls for funding cuts. It underscored the divide between incumbent voting records and challenger critiques on international conflict spending.
Representative Alma Adams is 80 years old, while her challenger Jack Codiga is 29. The 12th congressional district previously maintained a 3-to-1 Democratic voting margin in 2024.
The players
Alma Adams
She is the incumbent Representative for the 12th congressional district who has visited Israel four times while in office.
Jack Codiga
He is a candidate for the 12th congressional district seat who works in the mortgage lending industry.
Benjamin Netanyahu
He is the current Prime Minister of Israel who was the subject of a photograph used during the forum exchange.
The details
During his closing remarks, Jack Codiga approached the stage with a photograph of Representative Adams and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to challenge her voting record. Event staff removed Mr. Codiga's microphone at the request of Representative Adams, who characterized the incident as a personal attack.
Timeline
September 2023: Representative Alma Adams met with Benjamin Netanyahu.
October 2023: Representative Adams co-sponsored a cease-fire resolution for Gaza.
October 8, 2026: The candidate forum was held at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.
November 3, 2026: The upcoming election is scheduled to take place.
Culture Shift
This exchange reflects how local campaigns are increasingly shaped by the intense national debate surrounding foreign policy and international conflict. It highlights a societal shift where incumbent voting records on global crises are becoming primary points of contention in district-level races.
Residents of the 12th district may see an increase in campaign activity and polarized messaging as the November election date approaches. Voters should prepare for more public debates regarding foreign funding as candidates focus on defining their stances on international issues.
The takeaway
The event demonstrates how personal confrontation has become a common strategy for challengers seeking to contrast their platforms with long-standing incumbent records. Voters can implement deeper research into congressional voting histories to look past high-tension campaign moments.
What happens next
Early voting for the election is scheduled to begin on October 15, followed by the general election on November 3.
Further reading
For more on how religious and international issues intersect with local politics, visit the Judaism section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WFAE 90.7 - Charlotte's NPR News Source.
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Is aggressive confrontation between candidates an acceptable tactic during a local election campaign?
