A new report from Reuters outlined how DC politician Ted Budd is running a lazy campaign, because he knows his dark money, corporate and billionaire backed allies will spend millions on his behalf, just as they did in the primary.
“Ted Budd doesn’t want to talk to North Carolina voters. He wants to go on another vacation paid for by his dark money allies, while those same allies spend millions of dollars to try to elect him,” said End Citizens United // Let America Vote President Tiffany Muller. “News flash: It won’t work. Budd is so corrupt and so obviously bought-and-paid-for by wealthy corporations and billionaires, that the people of North Carolina will see right through him–and that’s exactly why they’ll elect Cheri Beasley this November.
Reuters: A competitive Senate race in North Carolina has Republicans worried
Andy Sullivan and Jarrett Renshaw
09/09/22
Key points:
-
In his campaign for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina, Republican candidate Ted Budd has described himself as a “conservative warrior” and a “liberal agenda crusher.” But some of his fellow Republicans worry he is not fighting hard enough.
-
While Democratic candidate Cheri Beasley has spent the summer running TV ads and campaigning across the state, Budd has kept a lower profile, staying off the airwaves for months and devoting much of his time to private fundraising events.
-
Former Governor Pat McCrory, who lost to Budd in a hard-fought Republican primary, told Reuters that Budd is running a “risk averse” campaign, while conservative radio host Brett Winterble lamented the lack of “fire and fury” in the race.
-
Opinion polls show a race effectively tied between Budd, a congressman and gun-store owner backed by former President Donald Trump, and Beasley, a former chief justice of the state Supreme Court who would become the only Black woman in the Senate if elected.
-
Seven Republican strategists said in interviews that they are concerned that Budd is not doing enough to court independent voters, who now outnumber registered Republicans and Democrats in the politically competitive state.
-
The strategists said they fear the race will steal resources from Republican candidates in other states including Georgia and Arizona that are key to the party securing Senate control.
-
“There is no doubt outside groups will have to come once again and rescue Republicans in the final weeks,” said one strategist involved in the race, speaking on condition of anonymity.
-
The Republican Leadership Fund, a national committee that backs Senate Republicans, has begun to air $27 million worth of attack ads in North Carolina aimed at boosting Budd’s chances. Other conservative groups are contacting voters directly.
-
A senior Republican official in North Carolina said Budd’s reluctance to talk to the news media or voters will not help him attract unaffiliated women voters concerned about his strict opposition to abortion.
-
“This is an issue that he needs to get in front of or else it could really hurt,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
-
Abortion rights have become a central theme of the midterms after the U.S. Supreme Court in June overturned 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide.
-
Beasley, who has raised more than twice as much money as Budd, has emphasized her support for abortion rights and other policies popular with Democrats. But Beasley has also sought to portray herself as having an independent streak, unafraid to break with her party on issues.
-
Her campaign has criticized Budd for voting against bipartisan infrastructure and semiconductor legislation.
-
“Cheri has the momentum in this race with her unique candidacy, winning message and robust campaign,” campaign spokesperson Dory MacMillan said.
-
McCrory, Budd’s former Republican rival, said Trump’s support could turn off unaffiliated voters.
-
“North Carolina is always close, but this year it will be even closer,” McCrory said.
###