2022 North Carolina Senate Voters Guide
Cheri Beasley (D) vs Ted Budd (R)
The Candidates
Legal. “Abortion is a fundamental right – and I will not stop fighting to protect that freedom.” Supports the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would codify Roe v. Wade at the federal level and override state bans; also supports allowing federal funding of abortions.
Yes. “Tackling the climate crisis is imperative to our health, economy, and security.” Supports efforts to cut U.S. carbon emissions in half by 2030 and invest in renewable energy.
No. Supports an energy strategy that prioritizes ”the most affordable fuel available,” including fossil fuels. Opposed restrictions on energy extraction on federal lands. Voted against the Inflation Reduction Act, with clean energy incentives and credits.
Increase investment. Supports “targeted investments in creating and growing good paying jobs” and “workforce development.” Supports investments in infrastructure, renewable energy, and technical assistance to small business owners.
Yes. Said that leaders of the January 6 insurrection “spread dangerous lies about our election.”
Tighten. Would “prevent efforts to drill off of North Carolina’s coast” and support “the environmental justice movement.”
Loosen. Supports resuming construction on the Keystone XL Pipeline and limiting the scope of the federal Clean Water Act. Opposes federal mandate that publicly traded companies disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and climate-related risks.
More restrictive. Supports universal background checks and “closing loopholes to prevent domestic abusers and those with mental health issues from being able to obtain a gun.” Would keep “combat-style weapons and high-capacity magazines off our streets.”
Less restrictive. Opposes “any encroachment of the Second Amendment.” Voted against expanding federal background checks. Co-sponsored a bill to allow concealed carry across state lines; “preempts most state and local laws related to concealed carry.”
Yes. Supports “expanding the Affordable Care Act with a public option, lowering the cost of prescription drugs.” Also supports Medicaid expansion and more resources to rural hospitals.
No. Voted in 2017 to replace the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Opposed effort to expand Medicaid in North Carolina under Obamacare.
Supports “comprehensive immigration reform” and a pathway to citizenship for DACA participants and other undocumented immigrants in the U.S. Wants reduced wait times for legal immigration while “securing our borders.”
Would allow DACA participants to stay “in exchange for tough new immigration laws.” Supports withholding federal funds from states that give undocumented immigrants an ID or driver’s license; opposes “sanctuary city” policies. Proposed to redirect funding from hiring new IRS agents to new ICE and Border Patrol agents instead.
Easier. Says she will “always champion labor unions & workers.” Supports the PRO Act, which would strengthen “employees’ rights to organize.”
Harder. Voted against the PRO Act, calling it “a liberal wish list” that strengthens “the authoritarian power of big labor.”
Expand. Says LGBTQ people deserve equality and that “discrimination in all of its forms is absolutely wrong.” Supports Equality Act, which would prohibit “discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.”
Limit. Voted against the Equality Act, calling it “the triumph of cancel culture over facts, reason, and empirical knowledge.” Joined a 2019 brief to the Supreme Court that opposed extending anti-discrimination provisions to cover sexual orientation and gender identity.
Legal. “Legalization just makes sense – and as Senator, I’ll work to get it done.”
Ban. Signed a letter outlining a public health rationale opposing the liberalization of federal marijuana law.
Yes. Supports raising the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour.
No. Voted against a 2019 bill to raise the federal minimum wage.
Supports the George Floyd act that limits police use of force. Backs comprehensive reforms to “establish accountability, increase transparency, and put more resources into public safety.”
Voted against the George Floyd act. Will “fight against any effort to weaken” law enforcement. Supported providing police with grants for de-escalation training and community outreach programs.
Unclear. Supports “reforming student loan programs” so students aren’t “hampered by mountains of debt.” Would study the potential impact of reducing or forgiving loans.
No. “Mass cancellation of student loan debt” would be “an affront to the millions of borrowers who responsibly repaid their loan balances.”
No position found on taxes for corporate and wealthy individuals. Criticizes “income inequality and the racial wealth gap.”
Less. Voted in 2017 for the Tax Cut act, which cut the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and lowered the top individual tax rate. Opposes reversing those cuts.
No. “Every eligible voter should be able to register, cast a ballot, and have that vote counted.” Supports “voting rights bills to provide essential safeguards to ensure our constitutional rights.”
Yes. Voted against bill to limit state restrictions on voting; it would allow the federal government to “overrule all 50 states and take over our elections.” Supports a voter ID requirement and “allowing state election officials to verify a voter’s citizenship.”
We have space to include only candidates polling 15% or more. But check out others including Shannon Bray (L), Matthew Hoh (G), Michelle Lewis (I), Kimrey Rhinehardt (I), and Brenda Rodriguez (I).
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