# 2022 United States Senate election in North Carolina

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vte :
The 2022 United States Senate election in North Carolina was held on November 8, 2022, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of North Carolina. Republican congressman Ted Budd won his first term in office, defeating Democratic nominee Cheri Beasley. Primary elections were scheduled for March 8, 2022, but were delayed by the North Carolina Supreme Court and rescheduled for May 17.
Incumbent three-term Republican U.S. senator Richard Burr announced in 2016 that he would not seek reelection in 2022. Former chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court Cheri Beasley and U.S. Representative Ted Budd won the Democratic and Republican primaries, respectively. The race was considered competitive, with Budd narrowly leading in polls. Budd ultimately won with 50.5% of the vote to Beasley's 47.3%—a margin of 3.2%.
Despite Budd's win in the election, it marked the Class III seat's worst performance by a Republican since 1998.

## Republican primary

With Burr's retirement, this primary was expected to be very competitive. Former U.S. Representative Mark Walker was the first major candidate to announce his candidacy, on December 1, 2020. Walker opted to retire from the House and not run for reelection in 2020 because his district was made much more favorable to the Democratic Party after redistricting. Former president Donald Trump's daughter-in-law Lara Trump was widely speculated as a possible candidate for this seat. She received encouragement and support from U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham and Kellyanne Conway, a former Trump White House official. Early opinion polls suggested she would perform well against other prospective candidates in the primary. On April 14, 2021, former governor Pat McCrory announced his candidacy. U.S. Representative Ted Budd announced his candidacy on April 28, 2021.
Opinion polls taken during April 2021 showed McCrory with a wide lead over Walker and Budd. McCrory was aided by a high degree of name recognition because of his several statewide campaigns.
On June 5, 2021, the North Carolina Republican Party held a convention in Greenville. At the convention, former president Trump announced that he was endorsing Budd for the U.S. Senate seat. Lara Trump announced that she would not be running, and joined her father-in-law in endorsing Budd. The former president also took a shot at McCrory, saying, "You can't pick people that have already lost two races, that do not stand for our values." McCrory lost both the 2008 and 2016 gubernatorial elections. Budd was reportedly unaware of Trump's intentions until 15 minutes before he took the stage. Both Walker and McCrory stated their intentions to stay in the race.
Meanwhile, North Carolina redrew its congressional maps, making Walker's house seat more favorable to Republicans than it had been before 2020. After that, Trump met with Walker and promised to endorse him if he left the Senate race to instead run for his old House seat, newly numbered as the 7th district. Walker filed to switch races, but later decided against it in favor of staying in the Senate race.
The first primary debate was held on February 26 in Raleigh. It was sponsored by the John Locke Foundation, a conservative think tank based in North Carolina. McCrory, Walker and Eastman participated. Budd was invited, but did not attend, leaving an empty podium. The first televised debate was held by WRAL-TV on April 14 and featured McCrory and Walker, with Budd once again declining to attend. A third debate was held on April 20 on Spectrum News 1. McCrory, Walker, and Eastman participated. A fourth debate, sponsored by Nexstar Media Group, was held on April 26 and aired on television stations across North Carolina, including WJZY, WNCN, WGHP, and WNCT-TV. McCrory and Walker participated. Budd declined and Eastman was not invited.
Budd won the primary overwhelmingly with over 58% of the vote. McCrory finished second with almost 25%, and Walker third with 9%. Budd won a plurality in every county in the state except for Mecklenburg, which McCrory won by under 100 votes. After the results were released, McCrory declared his political career over. He did not endorse Budd for the general election.

### Candidates
#### Nominee

* Ted Budd, U.S. Representative for NC-13 (2017–2023)

#### Eliminated in primary

* Jen Banwart, Department of Defense employee (2001–2020), and legislative staffer on Capitol Hill (1994–1996)
* Lee Brian, videographer and withdrawn candidate for NC-04 in 2018
* Leonard Bryant, Senior Religious Affairs Advisor for the United States Army
* Drew Bulecza, businessman
* Marjorie Eastman, author and veteran
* David Flaherty, former state representative
* Benjamin Griffiths
* Kenneth Harper, business owner
* Pat McCrory, former governor of North Carolina (2013–2017), former mayor of Charlotte (1995–2009)
* Charles Kenneth Moss, radio evangelist and former member of the Randolph County Soil & Water Board
* Lichia Sibhatu, daycare owner
* Debora Tshiovo
* Mark Walker, former U.S. Representative for NC-06 (2015–2021)

#### Withdrawn

* Marty Cooke, Brunswick County Commissioner (since 2008)

#### Declined

* Richard Burr, incumbent U.S. Senator (endorsed Pat McCrory)
* Dan Forest, former lieutenant governor of North Carolina (2013–2021) and nominee for governor in 2020
* Virginia Foxx, U.S. Representative for NC-5 (2005–present)
* Mark Meadows, former White House chief of staff, former U.S. Representative for NC-11 and former chairman of the Freedom Caucus (2013–2020) (endorsed Ted Budd)
* Tim Moore, Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives (2015–present) (running for reelection)
* Mark Robinson, lieutenant governor of North Carolina (2021–present)
* Lara Trump, television producer, senior advisor to Donald Trump's 2020 presidential campaign, and daughter-in-law of former president of the United States Donald Trump (endorsed Ted Budd)
* Michael Whatley, chair of the North Carolina Republican Party

### Endorsements

Executive branch officials
* Donald Trump, 45th president of the United States (2017–2021)
* John Bolton, United States National Security Advisor (2018–2019), United States Ambassador to the United Nations (2005–2006)
U.S. senators
* Marsha Blackburn, U.S. Senator from Tennessee (2019–present)
* Ted Cruz, U.S. Senator from Texas (2013–present)
U.S. representatives
* Dan Bishop, U.S. Representative for NC-9 and Freedom Caucus member (2019–present)
* Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (1995–1999), former U.S. Representative for Georgia's 6th congressional district (1979–1999)
* George Holding, former U.S. Representative for NC-2 (2017–2021), NC-13 (2013–2017), and US Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina (2006–2011)
* Jim Jordan, U.S. Representative for OH-4 (2007–present)
State officials
* John M. Alexander Jr., State Senator from District 18 (2019–2021) and District 15 (2015–2019)
* W. Ted Alexander, State Senator from District 44 (2019–present)
* Tom Apodaca, State Senator from District 48 (2003–2016)
* Kristin Baker, State Representative from District 82 (2020–present)
* Patrick J. Ballantine, State Senator from District 18 (1995–2004)
* James L. Boles Jr., State Representative from District 52 (2009–present)
* Danny Britt, State Senator from District 13 (2017–present)
* Jim Burgin, State Senator from District 12 (2019–present)
* Warren Daniel, State Senator from District 46 (2013–present) and District 44 (2011–2013)
* Carl Ford, State Senator from District 33 (2019–present)
* Holly Grange, State Representative from District 20 (2016–2021)
* Julia C. Howard, State Representative from District 77 (2019–present), District 79 (2003–2019), District 74 (1999–2003) and District 37 (1989–1993)
* Frank Iler, State Representative from District 17 (2009–present)
* Jake Johnson, State Representative from District 113 (2019–present)
* Keith Kidwell, State Representative from District 79 (2019–present)
* Joyce Krawiec, State Senator from District 31 (2014–present)
* Michael Lazzara, State Senator from District 6 (2021–present)
* Tom McInnis, State Senator from District 25 (2015–present)
* Jeffrey McNeely, State Representative from District 84 (2019–present)
* Grey Mills, State Representative from District 95 (2021–present, 2009–2013)
* Paul Newton, State Senator from District 36 (2017–present)
* Ray Pickett, State Representative from District 93 (2021–present)
* Larry Pittman, State Representative from District 83 (2019–present) and District 82 (2011–2019)
* Larry Potts, State Representative from District 81 (2017–present)
* Mark Robinson, Lieutenant Governor (2021–present)
* Bob Rucho, State Senator from District 39 (2008–2017, 2003–2005) and District 35 (1997–2003)
* Jason Saine, State Representative from District 97 (2011–present)
* Mitchell S. Setzer, State Representative from District 89 (2003–present) and District 43 (1999–2003)
* Fred Smith, State Senator from District 12 (2003–2009)
* Jeff Tarte, State Senator from District 41 (2013–2019)
* Harry J. Warren, State Representative from District 76 (2019–present) and District 77 (2011–2019)
* Sam Watford, State Representative from District 80 (2021–present, 2015–2019)
* Jeff Zenger, State Representative from District 74 (2021–present)
Organizations
* Club for Growth
* Dairy Farmers of America
* FreedomWorks
* Gun Owners of America
* National Border Patrol Council
* North Carolina Values Coalition
* North Carolina Troopers Association
* Senate Conservatives Fund
U.S. senators
* Joni Ernst, U.S. Senator from Iowa (2015–present)
U.S. senators
* Richard Burr, U.S. Senator from North Carolina (2005–present)
U.S. governors
* Jim Martin, 70th Governor of North Carolina (1985–1993) and former U.S. Representative for NC-09 (1973–1985)
Executive branch officials
* Mick Mulvaney, former White House Chief of Staff (2019–2020), former director of the Office of Management and Budget (2017–2020), and former U.S. Representative from SC-05
U.S. governors
* Mike Huckabee, 44th governor of Arkansas (1996–2007) and candidate for President of the United States in 2008 and 2016
U.S. senators
* James Lankford, U.S. Senator from Oklahoma (2015–present)
* Tim Scott, U.S. Senator from South Carolina (2013–present)
U.S. representatives
* Madison Cawthorn, U.S. Representative for NC-11 (2021–2023)
* Paul Ryan, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (2015–2019), former U.S. Representative for WI-01 (1999–2019), and nominee for Vice President of the United States in 2012

### Polling
#### Graphical summary

Aggregate polls
| Source of poll aggregation | Dates administered | Dates updated | Ted Budd | Marjorie Eastman | Pat McCrory | Mark Walker | Other | Margin |
| Real Clear Politics | April 1 – May 5, 2022 | May 12, 2022 | 40.3% | 2.8% | 22.3% | 8.5% | 26.1% | Budd +18.0 |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Ted Budd | Marjorie Eastman | Pat McCrory | Mark Walker | Other | Undecided |
| Emerson College | May 7–9, 2022 | 467 (LV) | ± 4.5% | 43% | 2% | 16% | 12% | 12% | 16% |
| co/efficient (R) | May 4–5, 2022 | 1,089 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 48% | 3% | 20% | 13% | 5% | 11% |
| Atlantic Polling Strategies (R) | April 25–28, 2022 | 534 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 45% | 3% | 21% | 9% | 2% | 20% |
| Meredith College | April 25–27, 2022 | 588 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 33% | 3% | 26% | 7% | 6% | 34% |
| WPA Intelligence (R) | April 24–26, 2022 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 43% | 4% | 23% | 9% | 1% | 20% |
| The Trafalgar Group (R) | April 23–25, 2022 | 1,049 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 53% | 6% | 29% | 8% | – | 4% |
| Spry Strategies (R) | April 6–10, 2022 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 40% | 2% | 27% | 8% | 3% | 20% |
| SurveyUSA | April 6–10, 2022 | 593 (LV) | ± 5.0% | 33% | 2% | 23% | 7% | 2% | 33% |
| WPA Intelligence (R) | April 3–5, 2022 | 510 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 44% | 3% | 31% | 11% | 1% | 11% |
| Emerson College | April 2–4, 2022 | 508 (LV) | ± 4.3% | 38% | 1% | 22% | 9% | 8% | 23% |
| Cygnal (R) | April 1–3, 2022 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 32% | 1% | 21% | 7% | 1% | 39% |
| Cygnal (R) | April 1–3, 2022 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 34% | 3% | 24% | 10% | – | 30% |
| Vitale & Associates (R) | March 22–23, 2022 | 504 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 32% | 2% | 29% | 12% | – | 25% |
| Meeting Street Insights (R) | February 26 – March 1, 2022 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 25% | 4% | 31% | 16% | – | 23% |
| Ingress Research Group (R) | February 27, 2022 | 864 (LV) | ± 3.3% | 18% | 4% | 29% | 11% | – | 35% |
| Remington Research Group (R) | February 2022 | – (LV) | – | 24% | 3% | 35% | 17% | – | 21% |
| Cygnal (R) | January 7–9, 2022 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 19% | 1% | 24% | 7% | 1% | 49% |
| Strategic Partners Solutions (R) | January 5, 2022 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 21% | 1% | 30% | 8% | <1% | 41% |
| WPA Intelligence (R) | November 1–3, 2021 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 33% | – | 36% | 13% | – | 18% |
| Public Opinion Strategies (R) | October 16–19, 2021 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 25% | – | 40% | 8% | – | – |
| WPA Intelligence (R) | June 22–24, 2021 | 509 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 21% | – | 45% | 13% | – | 21% |
| Meeting Street Insights (R) | June 9–10, 2021 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 19% | – | 45% | 12% | – | 23% |
| Spry Strategies (R) | April 21–24, 2021 | 700 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 5% | – | 40% | 11% | – | 44% |
| Public Opinion Strategies (R) | April 6–8, 2021 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 9% | – | 48% | 13% | – | – |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Ted Budd | Dan Forest | George Holding | Pat McCrory | Tim Moore | Mark Robinson | Lara Trump | Mark Walker | Other | Undecided |
| Spry Strategies (R) | April 6–10, 2022 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 50% | – | – | 30% | – | – | – | – | – | 20% |
| Cygnal (R) | January 7–9, 2022 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 34% | – | – | 33% | – | – | – | – | – | 33% |
| WPA Intelligence (R) | December 19–21, 2021 | 504 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 47% | – | – | 43% | – | – | – | – | – | 10% |
| Cardinal Point Analytics (R) | April 20, 2021 | 500 (LV) | ± 6.2% | 2% | – | – | 36% | – | – | 36% | 10% | – | 15% |
| Cygnal (R) | April 2021 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | – | 13% | – | 14% | – | 20% | 32% | 3% | – | – |
| Meredith College | March 12–15, 2021 | 217 (LV) | ± 6.3% | 6% | – | – | 17% | – | – | 27% | 7% | 4% | 39% |
| UNLV Lee Business School | November 30 – December 2, 2020 | 221 (RV) | ± 7.0% | – | – | 3% | 23% | 2% | – | 24% | 7% | 3% | 39% |

### Debates

2022 North Carolina US Senate election Republican primary debates :
| No. | Date | Host | Moderator | Link | Participants | Participants | Participants | Participants |
| Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Non-invitee  I Invitee W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Non-invitee  I Invitee W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Non-invitee  I Invitee W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Non-invitee  I Invitee W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Non-invitee  I Invitee W Withdrawn | | | | |
| Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Non-invitee  I Invitee W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Non-invitee  I Invitee W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Non-invitee  I Invitee W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Non-invitee  I Invitee W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Non-invitee  I Invitee W Withdrawn | Ted Budd | Marjorie Eastman | Pat McCrory | Mark Walker |
| 1 | February 16, 2022 | John Locke Foundation Carolina Journal | Jonah Kaplan | Video | A | P | P | P |
| 2 | April 14, 2022 | WRAL-TV | Lena Tillett | Video | A | N | P | P |
| 3 | April 20, 2022 | Spectrum News 1 | Tim Boyum | Video | A | P | P | P |
| 4 | April 26, 2022 | Nexstar Media Group | Bob Buckley Rod Carter | Video | A | N | P | P |

### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ted Budd | 448,128 | 58.61% |
| | Republican | Pat McCrory | 188,135 | 24.60% |
| | Republican | Mark Walker | 70,486 | 9.22% |
| | Republican | Marjorie Eastman | 22,535 | 2.95% |
| | Republican | David Flaherty | 7,265 | 0.95% |
| | Republican | Kenneth Harper Jr. | 7,129 | 0.93% |
| | Republican | Jen Banwart | 3,088 | 0.40% |
| | Republican | Charles Kenneth Moss | 2,920 | 0.38% |
| | Republican | Leonard Bryant | 2,906 | 0.38% |
| | Republican | Benjamin E. Griffiths | 2,870 | 0.38% |
| | Republican | Debora Tshiovo | 2,741 | 0.36% |
| | Republican | Lee A. Brian | 2,232 | 0.29% |
| | Republican | Lichia Sibhatu | 2,191 | 0.29% |
| | Republican | Drew Bulecza | 2,022 | 0.26% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 764,648 | 100.0% |

## Democratic primary

After losing the 2020 Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, Erica Smith teased a campaign for the other Senate seat in 2022. She officially launched her campaign in March 2021. Jeff Jackson, who has represented the 37th district in the North Carolina Senate since 2014, was widely speculated as a potential candidate for Senate in 2020, but he decided to run for reelection to the State Senate instead. In fall 2020, Jackson said he would discuss a potential 2022 campaign with his family over the holiday season. In January 2021, Jackson officially launched his campaign, and began a tour of the state, holding town hall events in all 100 counties. Cheri Beasley narrowly lost her election to a full term as Chief Justice in 2020. In February 2021, it was reported that she had hired a campaign consultant and was preparing to enter the U.S. Senate race. Beasley officially launched her campaign on April 27.
In November 2021, Smith filed papers to run for North Carolina's 1st congressional district in 2022 after Representative G. K. Butterfield announced he would not seek reelection. On November 23, Smith officially launched her House campaign and ended her Senate campaign. She endorsed Beasley on November 30.
On December 16, 2021, Jackson withdrew from the race and endorsed Beasley, making Beasley the presumptive nominee.
Beasley easily won the nomination with over 81% of the vote.

### Candidates
#### Nominee

* Cheri Beasley, former justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court (2012–2020); Chief Justice 2019–2020)

#### Eliminated in primary

* Greg Antoine, physician
* Chrelle Booker, Tryon city councillor (2019–present)
* James L. Carr Jr.
* Robert Colon
* Alyssia Rose-Katherine Hammond
* Constance Johnson, perennial candidate
* Tobias LaGrone, business owner, pastor, and counselor
* B. K. Maginnis
* Rett Newton, former mayor of Beaufort (2017–2021)
* Marcus Williams, attorney and perennial candidate

#### Withdrawn

* Jeff Jackson, state senator (2014–2023) and major in the North Carolina National Guard (running for NC-14) (endorsed Beasley)
* Erica D. Smith, former state senator (running for NC-01) (endorsed Beasley)
* Richard Watkins III, scientist and candidate for NC-04 in 2018 (running for NC-04)

#### Declined

* Sydney Batch, state senator (2021–present)
* Mandy Cohen, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (2017–present)
* Roy Cooper, Governor of North Carolina (2017–2025)
* Anita Earls, associate justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court (2019–present)
* Terence Everitt, state representative
* Anthony Foxx, former United States Secretary of Transportation (2013–2017) and former mayor of Charlotte (2009–2013)
* Joan Higginbotham, electrical engineer and former NASA astronaut
* Vi Lyles, Mayor of Charlotte (2017–present) (running for re-election)
* Grier Martin, state representative (2005–present)
* Deborah K. Ross, U.S. Representative from NC-2
* Heath Shuler, former U.S. Representative for NC-11 (2007–2013)

### Endorsements
#### Organizations

* Democrats for Life of America
U.S. senators
* Cory Booker, U.S. Senator from New Jersey
* Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Senator from New York
U.S. representatives
* Alma Adams, U.S. Representative from NC-12
* G. K. Butterfield, U.S. Representative from NC-1
* David Price, U.S. Representative from NC-4
State officials
* Roy Cooper, Governor of North Carolina (2017–2025), 49th Attorney General of North Carolina (2001–2017) Majority Leader of the North Carolina Senate (1997–2001)
* Jeff Jackson, North Carolina State Senator
* Erica D. Smith, former North Carolina State Senator and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2020 and 2022
Local officials
* Harvey Gantt, former mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina
Organizations
* Climate Hawks Vote
* Congressional Black Caucus PAC
* Council for a Livable World
* Democracy for America
* EMILY's List
* End Citizens United
* Feminist Majority PAC
* Giffords
* Human Rights Campaign
* Jewish Democratic Council of America
* League of Conservation Voters
* Let America Vote
* NARAL Pro-Choice America
* National Education Association
* Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund
* Planned Parenthood Action Fund
* Population Connection Action Fund
* Sierra Club
Newspapers and publications
* Indy Week

### Polling
#### Graphical summary

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Cheri Beasley | Jeff Jackson | Rett Newton | Erica Smith | Richard Watkins | Other | Undecided |
| Meredith College | April 25–27, 2022 | 392 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 49% | – | – | – | – | 16% | 35% |
| SurveyUSA | April 6–10, 2022 | 523 (LV) | ± 5.3% | 37% | – | 2% | – | – | 13% | 49% |
| | December 16, 2021 | Jackson withdraws from the race. | Jackson withdraws from the race. | Jackson withdraws from the race. | Jackson withdraws from the race. | Jackson withdraws from the race. | Jackson withdraws from the race. | Jackson withdraws from the race. | Jackson withdraws from the race. | Jackson withdraws from the race. |
| | November 23, 2021 | Smith withdraws from the race. | Smith withdraws from the race. | Smith withdraws from the race. | Smith withdraws from the race. | Smith withdraws from the race. | Smith withdraws from the race. | Smith withdraws from the race. | Smith withdraws from the race. | Smith withdraws from the race. |
| | November 17, 2021 | Watkins withdraws from the race. | Watkins withdraws from the race. | Watkins withdraws from the race. | Watkins withdraws from the race. | Watkins withdraws from the race. | Watkins withdraws from the race. | Watkins withdraws from the race. | Watkins withdraws from the race. | Watkins withdraws from the race. |
| Global Strategy Group (D) | November 1–7, 2021 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 39% | 25% | – | – | – | – | 36% |
| Public Policy Polling (D) | August 31 – September 1, 2021 | 700 (LV) | ± 3.7% | 33% | 24% | – | – | – | – | 43% |
| Cardinal Point Analytics (R) | April 20, 2021 | 500 (LV) | ± 6.2% | 32% | 26% | 8% | 16% | 3% | – | 14% |
| Meredith College | March 12–15, 2021 | 312 (LV) | ± 5.3% | 13% | 13% | – | 11% | 4% | 3% | 57% |

### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Cheri Beasley | 501,766 | 81.09% |
| | Democratic | James L. Carr Jr. | 21,903 | 3.54% |
| | Democratic | Alyssia Rose-Katherine Hammond | 21,005 | 3.39% |
| | Democratic | Marcus W. Williams | 17,446 | 2.82% |
| | Democratic | Constance Johnson | 12,500 | 2.02% |
| | Democratic | Rett Newton | 10,043 | 1.62% |
| | Democratic | Chrelle Booker | 9,937 | 1.61% |
| | Democratic | B. K. Maginnis | 7,044 | 1.14% |
| | Democratic | Robert Colon | 6,904 | 1.12% |
| | Democratic | Greg Antoine | 5,179 | 0.84% |
| | Democratic | Tobias LaGrone | 5,048 | 0.82% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 618,775 | 100.0% |

## Independents and third-party candidates
### Libertarian Party
#### Declared

* Shannon W. Bray, author, U.S. Navy veteran, candidate for NC-03 in 2019 and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2020

### Green Party
#### Declared

* Matthew Hoh, activist and veteran

### Independents
#### Write-in candidates

* Michelle Lewis, activist

#### Failed to make general election ballot

* Kimrey Rhinehardt, University of North Carolina Wilmington faculty member, former lobbyist for the University of North Carolina system, and former staffer for incumbent U.S. Senator Richard Burr
* Brenda Rodriguez, veteran

## General election
### Debates

2022 North Carolina Senate general election debates :
| No. | Date | Organizer | Location | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Non-invitee  I Invitee W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Non-invitee  I Invitee W Withdrawn | Source |
| No. | Date | Organizer | Location | Cheri Beasley | Ted Budd | Source |
| 1 | October 7, 2022 | Spectrum News 1 North Carolina | Raleigh | P | P | |
* ↑ Minor candidates that aren't invited to any of the debates are omitted.

### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Lean R | February 25, 2022 |
| Inside Elections | Tilt R | October 7, 2022 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Lean R | August 2, 2022 |
| Politico | Lean R | April 1, 2022 |
| RCP | Lean R | October 26, 2022 |
| Fox News | Lean R | May 12, 2022 |
| DDHQ | Lean R | October 6, 2022 |
| 538 | Likely R | August 3, 2022 |
| The Economist | Lean R | September 7, 2022 |

### Post-primary endorsements

Executive branch officials
* Nikki Haley, United States Ambassador to the United Nations (2017–2018)
* Mike Pence, Vice President of the United States (2017–2021)
* Mike Pompeo, United States Secretary of State (2018–2021) and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (2017–2018)
U.S. senators
* John Kennedy, U.S. Senator from Louisiana (2017–present)
* Tim Scott, U.S. Senator from South Carolina (2013-present)
U.S. representatives
* Brian Mast, U.S. Representative for FL-18 (2017–2023)
State officials
* Steve Troxler, Agriculture Commissioner of North Carolina (2005–present)
State legislators
* Jay Adams, State Representative from District 96 (2015–present)
* Mike Clampitt, State Representative from District 119 (2021–present, 2017–2019)
* Jimmy Dixon, State Representative from District 4 (2021–present, 2017–2019)
* Jeffrey Elmore, State Representative from District 94 (2021–present, 2017–2019)
* Karl Gillespie, State Representative from District 120 (2021–present, 2017–2019)
* Bobby Hanig, State Senator from District 6 (2022–present) and State Representative from District 120 (2019–2022)
* Kathy Harrington, Majority Leader of the North Carolina Senate (2021–present) and State Senator from District 43 (2011–present)
* Brenden Jones, State Representative from District 46 (2017–present)
* Donny Lambeth, State Representative from District 75 (2013–present)
* Charlie Miller, State Representative from District 19 (2021–present)
* Cleta Mitchell, Oklahoma state representative from District 44 (1977–1985) and adviser to Donald Trump
* Ben Moss, State Representative from District 66 (2021–present)
* Mark Pless, State Representative from District 118 (2021–present)
* Bill Rabon, State Senator from District 8 (2011–present)
* David Rogers, State Representative from District 112 (2016–present)
* Wayne Sasser, State Representative from District 67 (2019–present)
* John I. Sauls, State Representative from District 51 (2017–present, 2003–2007)
* Sarah Stevens, Speaker pro tempore of the North Carolina House of Representatives (2017–present) and State Representative from District 90 (2009–present)
* Matthew Winslow, State Representative from District 7 (2021–present)
Local officials
* Donnie Harrison, former Sheriff of Wake County (2002–2018)
Newspapers
* Rhino Times
Organizations
* American Principles Project
* Campaign for Working Families
* The Conservative Caucus
* Family Research Council Action PAC
* Home School Legal Defense Association
* Huck PAC
* National Federation of Independent Business
* National Republican Senatorial Committee
* National Right to Life Committee
* NRA Political Victory Fund
* Republican Jewish Coalition
* Tea Party Express
* United States Chamber of Commerce
U.S. presidents
* Barack Obama, 44th president of the United States (2009–2017)
U.S. senators
* Doug Jones, former U.S. Senator from Alabama
* Jon Ossoff, U.S. Senator from Georgia
* Debbie Stabenow, U.S. Senator from Michigan
U.S. representatives
* Jim Clyburn, U.S. Representative for SC-6
* Deborah K. Ross, U.S. Representative for NC-2
State officials
* Don Davis, state senator from District 5
Local officials
* Harvey Gantt, former mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina
Individuals
* Oprah Winfrey, businesswoman and talk show host
Organizations
* Equality North Carolina
* National Wildlife Federation
* National Women's Political Caucus
* North Carolina AFL–CIO
Newspapers
* The Charlotte Observer
* The Daily Tar Heel

#### Political parties

* Reform Party of the United States of America
State officials
* Pat McCrory, former governor of North Carolina and runner-up in the Republican primary (Republican)

### Fundraising

In the first quarter of 2022, Beasley raised $3.6 million. In the second quarter of 2022, Beasley reported raising $7.42 million, narrowly beating a second quarter record set by Cal Cunningham in 2020.

### Polling

Aggregate polls
| Source of poll aggregation | Dates administered | Dates updated | Ted Budd (R) | Cheri Beasley (D) | Undecided | Margin |
| Real Clear Politics | October 20 – November 6, 2022 | November 7, 2022 | 51.0% | 45.0% | 4.0% | Budd +6.0 |
| FiveThirtyEight | November 10, 2021 – November 6, 2022 | November 7, 2022 | 49.5% | 45.2% | 5.3% | Budd +4.3 |
| 270toWin | November 2–7, 2022 | November 7, 2022 | 50.5% | 45.5% | 4.0% | Budd +5.0 |
| Average | Average | Average | 50.3% | 45.2% | 4.4% | Budd +5.1 |
Graphical summary
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Ted Budd (R) | Cheri Beasley (D) | Other | Undecided |
| The Trafalgar Group (R) | November 4–6, 2022 | 1,098 (LV) | ± 2.9% | 51% | 45% | 2% | 1% |
| Data for Progress (D) | November 2–6, 2022 | 1,322 (LV) | ± 2.0% | 51% | 45% | 3% | – |
| East Carolina University | November 1–3, 2022 | 1,183 (LV) | ± 3.3% | 52% | 47% | 1% | – |
| ActiVote | August 5 – November 3, 2022 | 250 (LV) | ± 6.0% | 48% | 47% | 5% | – |
| Remington Research Group (R) | November 1–2, 2022 | 1,140 (LV) | ± 2.9% | 50% | 43% | 2% | 5% |
| Civiqs | October 29 – November 2, 2022 | 674 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 49% | 49% | 2% | 1% |
| Meredith College | October 27–30, 2022 | 724 (RV) | ± 3.4% | 44% | 43% | 7% | 7% |
| Emerson College | October 27–29, 2022 | 1,000 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 50% | 45% | 3% | 2% |
| Emerson College | October 27–29, 2022 | 1,000 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 51% | 46% | 4% | – |
| Cygnal (R) | October 20–22, 2022 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 47% | 43% | 2% | 7% |
| Marist College | October 17–20, 2022 | 1,130 (RV) | ± 3.8% | 44% | 44% | 2% | 10% |
| Marist College | October 17–20, 2022 | 899 (LV) | ± 4.2% | 49% | 45% | 1% | 5% |
| The Trafalgar Group (R) | October 16–19, 2022 | 1,081 (LV) | ± 2.9% | 48% | 44% | 3% | 5% |
| East Carolina University | October 10–13, 2022 | 902 (LV) | ± 3.8% | 50% | 44% | 2% | 5% |
| Wick Insights | October 8–13, 2022 | 1,009 (LV) | ± 3.1% | 49% | 44% | 2% | 5% |
| Public Policy Polling (D) | October 7–8, 2022 | 606 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 46% | 45% | – | 9% |
| SurveyUSA | September 28 – October 2, 2022 | 677 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 43% | 42% | 2% | 13% |
| Cygnal (R) | September 24–26, 2022 | 650 (LV) | ± 3.79% | 44% | 44% | 2% | 10% |
| Meredith College | September 20–23, 2022 | 731 (LV) | ± 3.3% | 41% | 41% | 4% | 14% |
| Civiqs | September 17–20, 2022 | 586 (LV) | ± 5.5% | 48% | 49% | 1% | 2% |
| Global Strategy Group (D) | September 12–20, 2022 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 46% | 46% | – | – |
| Emerson College | September 15–16, 2022 | 1,000 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 46% | 43% | 3% | 9% |
| East Carolina University | September 7–10, 2022 | 1,020 (LV) | ± 3.6% | 49% | 46% | 1% | 4% |
| The Trafalgar Group (R) | September 1–4, 2022 | 1,079 (LV) | ± 2.9% | 47% | 44% | 4% | 6% |
| Public Policy Polling (D) | August 29–30, 2022 | 601 (V) | ± 4.0% | 41% | 42% | 6% | 12% |
| Cygnal (R) | August 13–15, 2022 | 615 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 42% | 42% | 3% | 13% |
| Blueprint Polling (D) | August 4–6, 2022 | 656 (LV) | ± 3.8% | 42% | 46% | – | 12% |
| PEM Management Corporation (R) | July 22–24, 2022 | 300 (LV) | ± 5.7% | 40% | 43% | 2% | 15% |
| The Trafalgar Group (R) | June 29 – July 1, 2022 | 1,068 (LV) | ± 2.9% | 48% | 45% | 4% | 3% |
| Cygnal (R) | June 17–19, 2022 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 45% | 40% | 4% | 11% |
| SurveyUSA | June 8–12, 2022 | 650 (LV) | ± 5.1% | 40% | 44% | 2% | 14% |
| Cygnal (R) | May 21–22, 2022 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 44% | 42% | 3% | 12% |
| East Carolina University | May 19–20, 2022 | 635 (RV) | ± 4.5% | 49% | 42% | 2% | 7% |
| Meeting Street Insights (R) | May 12–16, 2022 | 500 (RV) | ± 4.4% | 46% | 45% | – | 10% |
| Emerson College | May 7–9, 2022 | 1,000 (RV) | ± 3.0% | 48% | 41% | – | 10% |
| Global Strategy Group (D) | April 28 – May 4, 2022 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 45% | 45% | – | 10% |
| Emerson College | April 2–4, 2022 | 1,047 (RV) | ± 3.0% | 50% | 43% | – | 8% |
| Cygnal (R) | March 30–31, 2022 | 513 (LV) | ± 4.3% | 45% | 43% | – | 12% |
| Redfield & Wilton Strategies | November 10, 2021 | 777 (RV) | ± 3.5% | 37% | 36% | 3% | 18% |
| Redfield & Wilton Strategies | November 10, 2021 | 757 (LV) | ± 3.6% | 40% | 39% | 3% | 16% |
Marjorie Eastman vs. Cheri Beasley
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Marjorie Eastman (R) | Cheri Beasley (D) | Undecided |
| Emerson College | April 2–4, 2022 | 1,047 (RV) | ± 3.0% | 44% | 44% | 12% |
Pat McCrory vs. Cheri Beasley
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Pat McCrory (R) | Cheri Beasley (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Emerson College | May 7–9, 2022 | 1,000 (RV) | ± 3.0% | 39% | 44% | – | 17% |
| Global Strategy Group (D) | April 28 – May 4, 2022 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 45% | 44% | – | 11% |
| Emerson College | April 2–4, 2022 | 1,047 (RV) | ± 3.0% | 41% | 43% | – | 17% |
| Cygnal (R) | March 30–31, 2022 | 513 (LV) | ± 4.3% | 41% | 41% | – | 18% |
| Redfield & Wilton Strategies | November 10, 2021 | 777 (RV) | ± 3.5% | 39% | 37% | 3% | 15% |
| Redfield & Wilton Strategies | November 10, 2021 | 757 (LV) | ± 3.6% | 42% | 40% | 3% | 13% |
Mark Walker vs. Cheri Beasley
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Mark Walker (R) | Cheri Beasley (D) | Undecided |
| Emerson College | April 2–4, 2022 | 1,047 (RV) | ± 3.0% | 47% | 42% | 11% |
Generic Republican vs. generic Democrat
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Generic Republican | Generic Democrat | Other | Undecided |
| Cygnal (R) | March 30–31, 2022 | 513 (LV) | ± 4.3% | 50% | 44% | – | 7% |
| Spry Strategies (R) | August 17, 2021 | 303 (LV) | ± 5.6% | 46% | 34% | 5% | 15% |
| Cygnal (R) | May 6–8, 2021 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 47% | 46% | – | 6% |
| Cygnal (R) | March 2021 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 47% | 46% | – | 7% |

### Results

2022 United States Senate election in North Carolina :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Ted Budd | 1,905,786 | 50.50% | −0.56% |
| | Democratic | Cheri Beasley | 1,784,049 | 47.27% | +1.90% |
| | Libertarian | Shannon W. Bray | 51,640 | 1.37% | −2.20% |
| | Green | Matthew Hoh | 29,934 | 0.79% | N/A |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 2,515 | 0.07% | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,773,924 | 100.0% | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

* Anson (largest city: Wadesboro)
* Pasquotank (largest city: Elizabeth City)
* Scotland (largest city: Laurinburg)
* Wilson (largest city: Wilson)

#### Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

* New Hanover (largest city: Wilmington)
* Watauga (largest city: Boone)

#### By congressional district

Budd and Beasley each won 7 of 14 congressional districts.
| District | Budd | Beasley | Representative |
| 1st | 48.8% | 49.3% | G. K. Butterfield (117th Congress) |
| 1st | 48.8% | 49.3% | Don Davis (118th Congress) |
| 2nd | 34% | 63% | Deborah Ross |
| 3rd | 64% | 34% | Greg Murphy |
| 4th | 31% | 67% | David Price (117th Congress) |
| 4th | 31% | 67% | Valerie Foushee (118th Congress) |
| 5th | 60% | 37% | Virginia Foxx |
| 6th | 45% | 53% | Kathy Manning |
| 7th | 56% | 42% | David Rouzer |
| 8th | 68% | 30% | Dan Bishop |
| 9th | 54% | 44% | Richard Hudson |
| 10th | 70% | 28% | Patrick McHenry |
| 11th | 53% | 45% | Madison Cawthorn (117th Congress) |
| 11th | 53% | 45% | Chuck Edwards (118th Congress) |
| 12th | 36% | 62% | Alma Adams |
| 13th | 48% | 50% | Wiley Nickel |
| 14th | 41% | 57% | Jeff Jackson |