Ted Budd

Republican. Trump won North Carolina in 2024. On the November 7, 2028 ballot.

Age on Election Day 2028: 57; Born October 21, 1971.
Lean: R+1; Statewide, 2025 Cook PVI.
In the Senate since: 2023; Took office January 3, 2023.
Approval: 38%; 35% disapprove. Morning Consult, April 1 to June 30, 2026.

The 2028 race

Cash on hand: $728,189

Cash: Federal Election Commission, October quarterly report. Reporting period ended September 30, 2026.

2028 plansMoved chief of staff Tucker Knott to his political operation to focus on his 2028 reelection campaign. The News & Observer, via The Daily Reflector, December 3, 2025.

The filibuster

Ending the legislative filibuster: Opposes
A talking filibuster: No public position found

The senator’s own public position, from a recorded vote or a dated statement.

In the Senate

Committees: Armed Services · Commerce, Science, and Transportation · Small Business and Entrepreneurship · Intelligence

General-election outcomes

2022 vote share: 50.50%
Victory margin: +3.23 pts

Last elected in 2022; no 2024 election for this officeholder.

Statewide. Valid votes; margin over the runner-up. Runner-up: Beasley, Cheri. Returns · Method. Reviewed November 5, 2026.

Scorecards, out of 100

Heritage Action (lifetime) (opens in a new tab): 97
Club for Growth (lifetime) (opens in a new tab): 97
Turning Point Action (lifetime) (opens in a new tab): 78
GOP Platform (2025) (opens in a new tab): 89
Progressive average: 1.8 (LCV 4, Progressive Punch 1, Stop Corruption Now 0)

Endorsements

2028 race so far

None on record: Donald Trump, Club for Growth, Turning Point Action, MAHA PAC.

2022 race

Endorsed: Donald Trump, Club for Growth.

None on record: Turning Point Action, MAHA PAC.