(Ezekiel Loseke, Headline USA) In a race pivotal to the GOP’s goal of retaking the US Senate, Trump-backed Ted Budd, R-N.C., on Tuesday defeated Cheri Beasley, D-N.C., in North Carolina’s congressional race that leftist had hoped would see a MAGA candidate stumble.
The GOP scored another major N.C. victory Tuesday, when voters transformed a 4-3 Democrat majority on the state’s supreme court to a 5-2 Republican majority, also adding major victories in lower courts.
The New York Times called the race for Budd, who held 50.7% of the vote with 95% of total reporting. The election was for the open seat of retiring Senator Richard Burr, R-N.C.
“It’s time now to put the brakes on the Biden agenda of reckless spending, overregulation and higher taxes,” Budd said during his victory in Winston-Salem. “It’s time to fully support the men and women of law enforcement who keep us safe each and every day.”
Budd won the Republican nomination amidst a crowded field, thanks in part to his experience representing North Carolina’s 13th Congressional District since 2017, and in part to his endorsement from President Trump.
Well done, Senator-to-be Ted Budd! #ncpol
— Dan Bishop (@jdanbishop) November 9, 2022
Republicans also saw overwhelming victories on the state’s supreme court, according to the News & Observer. One contest saw Republican Trey Allen, a lawyer and professor, defeat Democrat incumbent Justice Sam Ervin IV.
“I wished him well and told him I hope he enjoys serving on the court as much as I have,” Ervin said in concession.
The other race, which was for an empty seat, saw Republican Richard Dietz defeat Democrat Lucy Inman. Inman conceded to Dietz late Tuesday night.
Both Republican justices won with about 53% of the total vote. This is the second election in a row that Republicans have swept state-wide judicial seats in North Carolina. The result of these sweeps is a 5-2 Republican majority on the court.
The News & Observer also reported that four seats of the 15 seat North Carolina Court of Appeals were being elected, and with 99% of the vote counted, the outlet reported likely Republican victories there too. It wrote, “the results late Tuesday night … were closely tracking the results of the Supreme Court races.”
