Ted Budd has served as U.S. Senator from North Carolina since 2023, after three terms in the U.S. House. A former businessman and gun store owner, Budd brands himself as a no-apologies conservative focused on guns, borders, and spending.
He’s tightly aligned with the pro-Trump, "America First" wing of the GOP: hard line on immigration, anti-regulation, and constantly hammering federal “overreach.” At the same time, he keeps a strong small-business pitch built around tax cuts, deregulation, and skepticism of new entitlement spending.
Budd is generally hostile to big federal climate or healthcare expansions, votes the party line on judges, and leans into culture-war messaging on schools and gun rights. His team sells him not as a dealmaker, but as a defender.
Mainstream Conservative
Achievements
- Helped advance tax cut and deregulation efforts aimed at businesses and farms
- Pushed hardline border security and interior enforcement measures
- Backed national concealed carry reciprocity and other gun-rights expansions
- Supported disaster and relief measures for farmers and rural communities in North Carolina
- Reliable vote for conservative judicial nominees and executive branch oversight
Controversies
- Criticized for opposing bipartisan infrastructure and broadband expansions tied to federal spending
- Broke with Democrats on Medicaid expansion and large-scale COVID-19 aid, drawing attacks from the left
- Closely aligned with national gun rights lobbies — opponents say he’s out of step on background checks and red flag laws
- Accused by Democrats of pushing election denial rhetoric in 2020–21
Top Donors
| Donor | Total | Individuals | PACs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Club for Growth | $553,379 | $550,529 | $2,850 |
| House Freedom Fund | $221,576 | $206,576 | $15,000 |
| Senate Conservatives Fund | $221,467 | $206,467 | $15,000 |
| Budd Group | $116,350 | $116,350 | $0 |
| Old Dominion Freight Line | $77,833 | $54,833 | $23,000 |
Amounts shown reflect organization-linked giving; most funds listed here are from individual donors or aligned PACs.
Recent Elections
2022 Margin R +3.2%