Trump endorses Rep. Ted Budd for Senate in North Carolina

Former President Trump on Saturday endorsed Rep. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) to replace retiring Sen. Richard Burr (R) in 2022.

During his speech at the North Carolina GOP state convention, Trump said that he was giving Budd his “complete and total endorsement.”

“We’re going to work with him, we’re going to campaign with him,” Trump said.

Budd jumped into the race in late April, joining a crowded Republican primary to replace Burr. He’s cast himself as a Trump ally and a staunch opponent of a Democratic agenda.

He was first elected to the House in 2016, moving through a crowded primary electorate.

Among the other candidates in the Republican race are former Rep. Mark Walker and former Gov. Pat McCrory. Lara Trump, Trump’s daughter-in-law, on Saturday shut down speculation that she was going to run for Senate, but kept the door open for a possible future bid for public office.

“No for now, not no forever,” Lara Trump said. “At the right time, I would absolutely love to come back and consider running for something here in my home state because I love it dearly.”

Speaking to the convention after Trump introduced him, Budd thanked the former President and  Lara Trump for helping him get reelected in 2016 and 2018. 

Speaking to Lara Trump, Budd said “We fought to help Sen. Thom Thillis (R-N.C.) win, we fought to keep the North Carolina legislature. We fought for North Carolina judges.” 

“You’re a heck of a teammate. And you’d be a heck of a Senator,” he said.

– Updated at 10:41 p.m.