Ted Budd

Ted Budd is a Republican politician who has served as the junior United States Senator from North Carolina since 2023. Born in Winston-Salem and raised in Davie County, he earned a Bachelor of Science in business management from Appalachian State University in 1994, followed by a Master of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1998 and a Master of Business Administration from Wake Forest University in 2007. Before his political career, Budd worked for his family's facility-services company and owned a gun store and shooting range in Rural Hall, North Carolina. Budd was first elected to the U.S. Congress in 2016, serving as the Representative for North Carolina's 13th district in the House of Representatives from 2017 to 2023. During his House tenure, he was a member of the Financial Services Committee and aligned with the House Freedom Caucus, focusing on fiscal conservatism and regulatory reform. In 2022, he won the election to the U.S. Senate to succeed retiring Senator Richard Burr, following a primary campaign in which he received the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. As a Senator, he serves on the Armed Services; Commerce, Science, and Transportation; and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committees.

Budd's policy positions are characterized by a focus on fiscal conservatism, border security, and deregulation. On the economy, he advocates for lower taxes, including support for the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and argues for significant reductions in government spending to address inflation and the national debt. He is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and has consistently opposed federal gun control legislation. Regarding immigration, Budd emphasizes border security and has voiced support for completing the wall on the U.S.-Mexico border while opposing amnesty for undocumented immigrants. In healthcare, he supports the repeal of the Affordable Care Act in favor of market-based competition and individual choice. His energy policy prioritizes American energy independence through increased domestic production of fossil fuels and the streamlining of energy-related permitting. In foreign policy, he maintains a pro-Israel stance and generally supports an 'America First' approach to trade and international involvement.