All across the nation, candidates are facing off in critical elections. North Carolina in particular is having an extremely tight race between the two candidates for Senate, Cheri Beasley and Ted Budd.
Democratic candidate Cheri Beasley has run her campaign on values such as expanding access to healthcare, women’s rights and reforming the immigration system. Beasley was the first Black woman to serve as Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court. Beasley was appointed by the current governor Roy Cooper in 2019. She has served as a justice on the North Carolina Supreme Court since 2012.
Republican candidate Ted Budd is the representative of North Carolina’s 13th district, currently serving his third term. He voted against a bill in the House that would ease the baby formula shortage, against the Inflation Reduction Act and against a gun safety bill supported by both of North Carolina’s current Republican senators. Budd also voted to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. Budd has said that he supports outlawing abortion in all cases.
As of November 7, 2022, Budd is ahead in the polls by 4.3%. Democrats are currently hoping for Democratic people to come out and vote as much as possible. Historically, midterm elections have a much lower rate of voter participation than presidential elections. For the 2018 midterms, about 50% of eligible voters cast their ballot, compared to the 2020 presidential election with a 66% turnout rate. This is considered to be much higher than in previous years, as seen with the 2010 midterm election turnout rate being 41%, while the 2008 presidential election was at 61.6%.
The election will be a very tight race between candidates Beasley and Budd. Polling has proven inaccurate in some cases, so there is still a chance for Beasley to win. If you haven’t already voted, make sure to go out and vote. Visit vote.org to find any last-minute voter information you may need.