2022 US Senate race Coverage

JAMES LEUTZE: In Georgia, GOP offered unqualified Senate candidate to grab power

Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022 -- In a race where the Republicans used every device to see him robbed of his dignity, after already reducing the minority vote, Republicans put Herschel Walker forward as a candidate well knowing that he was woefully unqualified. In Trump world this is a qualification.

Editorial: Who will Ted Budd really be working for in the U.S. Senate?

Friday, Dec. 2, 2022 -- When Republican Ted Budd takes his seat in the United States Senate next month who will he be representing? If you say North Carolina, don't bet on it.

FEC asks Budd, Beasley to explain and return more than $71K in questionable donations

The campaigns of U.S. Sen.-elect Ted Budd and his Democratic opponent, Cheri Beasley, are being questioned about campaign contributions that may have exceeded federal limits.

Bryan Anderson, WRAL state government reporter

Democrats win control of Senate

This weekend, Senate races in Nevada and Arizona were called for democrats, securing their party's control of the upper chamber. Control of the House remains uncertain with nearly two dozen races yet to be called. President Biden is in Bali for meetings as he prepares for the G-20 summit this week.

'We're not flashy.' How Ted Budd won NC's US Senate seat

Ted Budd's win can be attributed to savvy political networking and disciplined campaigning in a voting environment that favored Republican candidates, experts say.

Paul Specht, WRAL state government reporter

Budd defeats Beasley in North Carolina's US Senate race, helping GOP hold key seat

Republican U.S. Rep. Ted Budd beat Democrat Cheri Beasley, a former state Supreme Court Chief Justice, in the race to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Richard Burr.

Paul Specht and Bryan Anderson, WRAL state government reporters

No issues reported at Wake County polling sites

Polls close at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at most North Carolina precincts.

NC's US Senate race called, election results roll in

Polls closed at 7:30 p.m. for most North Carolina precincts. Wake County's unofficial election results began posting online before 8 p.m. However, some Wake County precinct results may arrive after 11:30 p.m., election leaders said.

WRAL Staff

Fact check: Did Budd vote to cut Social Security and Medicare?

A new ad by the Senate Majority PAC says U.S. Rep. Ted Budd "voted to cut Medicare and Social Security and voted to raise the retirement age too." PolitiFact checks the claim.

Paul Specht, PolitiFact reporter

Cast your vote: Polls now open

Tuesday is Election Day, with a U.S. Senate seat and 14 congressional seats up for grabs in North Carolina--races that could play a role in shifting the balance of power in Washington.

SETH EFFRON: Voter enthusiasm in key groups critical to election outcome

Nov. 3, 2022 -- When voting ends and the winners of next Tuesday's election in North Carolina are determined, the most significant factor in the outcomes may be who DIDN'T cast ballots.Voting does matter! Voter enthusiasm - the personal drive to make sure a vote is cast - is what counts.

Pence visits Raleigh for GOP fundraiser as Budd seeks final-week edge over Beasley in close Senate race

The visit from former Vice President Mike Pence could help U.S. Rep. Ted Budd gain votes with anti-Trump Republicans, political observers say.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

From the bench and in Congress: The decisions that define Beasley and Budd

The leading candidates for North Carolina's open U.S. Senate seat have sizable public records. But comparing the candidates' records can be tricky. We asked the candidates themselves to drill down on their records, and their opponents.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

Beasley takes $2M cash advantage over Budd as election nears, but outside spending favors Republicans

North Carolina Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Cheri Beasley entered the final weeks of the campaign with more money than her Republican opponent, U.S. Rep. Ted Budd, but continues to face sizable opposition from outside groups.

Bryan Anderson, WRAL state government reporter

Cheri Beasley responds to questions from Pitt County voters

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Cheri Beasley responds to questions from Pitt County voters during an Oct. 27, 2022, event in Greenville. (photo by Bryan Anderson)

North Carolina's US Senate race remains tight, new polls show

New polls 'are good for Budd, but they do not say this race is over,' one political observer says.

Bryan Anderson, WRAL state government reporter

Fact check: Budd says Beasley was 'encouraging' riots after George Floyd's death

In the Oct. 7 U.S. Senate debate, Republican Ted Budd said "I have denounced violence from Day 1, whether it's at Washington, D.C., or whether it's the riots that my opponent was encouraging all across our state and all across our country in 2020." PolitiFact checks his claim.

Paul Specht, PolitiFact reporter

Fact check: Beasley says Budd opposed a combined $32M for North Carolina police over 'four separate occasions'

In a debate for North Carolina's U.S. Senate candidates, Democrat Cheri Beasley said Republican U.S. Rep. Ted Budd "on four separate occasions voted against funding for police here in North Carolina to the tune of more than $32 million." PolitiFact checks her claim.

Paul Specht, PolitiFact reporter

What do Dave Matthews and Rick Scott have in common? Hint: It's about NC voter turnout

Expect high-profile visits to ramp up for the next few weeks as North Carolina U.S. Senate, congressional candidates make final push before Nov. 8 election.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

Democrats outraise Republicans in key NC races, but conservative groups are bolstering GOP prospects

Democrat Cheri Beasley raised nearly three times more than Republican Ted Budd in a close U.S. Senate race. But conservative groups are outspending Democratic ones 4-to-1.

Bryan Anderson, WRAL state government reporter

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Trump's rubber stamp in N.C.

Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

Editorial: Debate exchange on drugs shows Budd's more about rhetoric than solutions

Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022 -- Never, in the course of U.S. Senate candidate Ted Budd's discussion of illegal drugs did he mention the HUGE toll that drug addiction is taking on the state, any concern for those who struggle with addiction or who are its victims. Nor did he make any mention of efforts to address this.

Beasley, Budd tangle over economy, abortion, other policies in US Senate debate

Republican Ted Budd and Democrat Cheri Beasley highlighted differences over the economy, abortion and other issues during Friday's U.S. Senate debate.

Bryan Anderson, WRAL state government reporter

DRAUGHON DRAWS: The pendulum of swing voters

Friday, Oct. 7, 2022 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

North Carolinians hurting financially, pessimistic about economic future, WRAL News Poll shows

A WRAL News survey of North Carolina adults shows residents are cutting back on purchases and activities to offset higher prices.

Bryan Anderson, WRAL state government reporter