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North Carolina Senate Race Heats Up as Democrats Bid for a Historic Win

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

North Carolina's U.S. Senate contest has become a national focal point, with Democrats campaigning to capture a seat that has traditionally been a stronghold for Republicans. Cheri Beasley, a former state Supreme Court chief justice, is vying for the Senate seat against Ted Budd, a three-term congressman endorsed by Donald Trump. The stakes are high, with the outcome potentially determining which party will control the Senate, which is currently evenly split at 50-50. With a lackluster performance by Democrats in recent Senate elections, Beasley's historic potential as the state's first Black senator adds an extra layer of significance to the contest.

Key Takeaways:

  • Cheri Beasley, a former chief justice of the state Supreme Court, is running for the U.S. Senate seat against Ted Budd, a three-term congressman, in North Carolina.
  • Beasley would be North Carolina's first Black senator if elected, making her candidacy historically significant.
  • Budd has capitalized on Trump's endorsement and has spent tens of millions of dollars attacking Beasley's judicial record on crime and her support for President Joe Biden's policies.
  • The Senate Leadership Fund has spent at least $38 million against Beasley, while her Democratic supporters have committed to spending significantly less.
  • Beasley received a last-minute endorsement from former President Barack Obama, while Biden never publicly campaigned for her.
  • Budd has attempted to link Beasley to Biden's policies, claiming she would be an "absolute rubber stamp" for his agenda.
  • Budd's support for restrictive abortion legislation has made him a target for Democrats and their allies.
  • Budd has a background in agriculture and the gun industry, owning a gun store and range in addition to investing in agricultural businesses.

Statistics:

  • Beasley outraised Budd by a roughly 3-to-1 margin in the final weeks of the campaign.
  • As of the last publicly reported fundraising numbers, Beasley had raised $78 million, while Budd had raised $26 million.
  • The Senate Leadership Fund has spent at least $38 million against Beasley.
  • A majority of the funds spent against Beasley were from outside North Carolina, primarily from Republican groups.
  • Beasley has been endorsed by former President Barack Obama, while Biden has not publicly campaigned for her.
  • Budd has been endorsed by Donald Trump and has held two rallies on his behalf.

Sources:

  • [AP News](https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-election-elections-2022)
  • [AP News - Explaining the Elections](https://apnews.com/hub/explaining-the-elections)

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