Ted Budd has won the 2022 Republican U.S. Senate nomination, defeating former Gov. Pat McCrory and former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker.
Budd, a three-term Congressman from Davie County, will face Democratic nominee Cheri Beasley in the November general election to succeed the retiring Richard Burr.
In a statement, Budd said of the win, “In this contested primary, there were many days my team struggled to stay ahead. But, thanks to your votes, donations, and getting the word out, we came out victorious. It is the honor of a lifetime to fight to represent our state in this general election. I know that without your help, I do not even have a chance. We have a lot of work to do; let’s win this one together, God bless you, North Carolina, and God bless America!”
North Carolina’s other senator, Republican Thom Tillis, offered congratulations to Budd on Twitter.
“Ted is a proven conservative problem solver, and I will be doing everything I can between now and November to help make sure he is elected NC’s next U.S. Senator,” tweeted Tillis.
The breadth of Budd’s win was stunning even for those expecting a comfortable win. He won 58.6% of the statewide vote, carried 99 of the state’s 100 counties, losing only in McCrory’s home of Mecklenburg, where he served as a Charlotte City Councilman and Mayor for 20 years. Budd lost Mecklenburg by only 70 votes.
Finishing third in the race was Walker, who earned 9% of the vote.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
