Trump Tests His Influence in North Carolina

Ted Budd looks to become the GOP’s Senate nominee, and scandal-plagued Rep. Madison Cawthorn faces his own crowded primary challenge.

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In April, all but one of the major GOP candidates in the race for North Carolina’s open U.S. Senate seat took the debate stage to make their pitch to voters. But an empty podium stood in for Ted Budd, a U.S. congressman from the state’s 13th District. 

“He’s not for you,” former Gov. Pat McCrory told voters about the missing candidate. “If he were for you, he would be here right now. He’s acting like he’s entitled.”

It wasn’t a new tactic for Budd: He skipped all four of the Republican primary debates. But voters don’t seem likely to punish him for it. Budd has surged to the top of a crowded primary contest, despite challenges from other prominent Republicans, including McCrory and former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker. 

Now, Tar Heel State voters are heading to the ballot box Tuesday to pick contenders to replace retiring GOP Sen. Richard Burr, as well as weigh in on a number of down-ballot contests. Polls close at 7:30 p.m. across the state.

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  1. Avatar photo
    Ben Connelly

    Sad that Richard Burr’s seat might end up in the hands (or butt?) of Ted Budd.

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  2. Scott N.

    Good riddance, Madison. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

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  3. Laura

    I voted for Mark Walker, but I think Ted Budd is going to win. Unfortunately.

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      Pat @ Tavi Hall

      Appears you are correct. I'm sad.

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  4. Nick

    So are mail-in ballots for the Republican primary valid? I would've thought Republicans were against mail-in voting.

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    CynthiaW

    My friends who are among the solidly Trump-supporting faithful don't think Ted Budd is really a Trump guy, just faking, which causes me to think he'll be okay, in a, "Who was that guy, anyway?" sort of way.

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    1. LucyTrice

      I hope you're right!

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  6. Bill Marsh

    Good story but one factual error. Budd represents the OLD 13th district. The NEW 13th district mentioned in the article has zero overlap with the old 13th, so no “former stomping ground.” The General Assembly changed the numbering of some of our districts during redistricting.

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    1. Avatar photo
      Pat @ Tavi Hall

      I'm forgiving on this, I've been in the first congressional election of Walker, Budd, and Manning. I'm in a new district this year. I haven't moved! Prior to that I was in Coble's district since his first election! NC Congressional districts have been unstable for the last decade or so.

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      Harvest Prude vertical-nib Author

      Thanks for flagging--apologies I missed this!

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  7. Avatar photo
    Pat @ Tavi Hall

    As A North Carolinian, I've grown to have disgust for the Club for Growth. Their ads are deceptive and because Budd's first congressional run was in my then district, I'm pretty aware of just how much he is in their pocket, voting on their issues 100% of the time including votes against farm bills while representing a largely rural district. Ugh.

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    Paul Britton

    Excellent report.

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