Today, North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Bobbie Richardson held a press call calling Ted Budd out for his decision to headline a fundraiser in Rockingham County named after segregationist former Senator Jesse Helms. Following the press call, Harvey Gantt, former Charlotte mayor and two-time Democratic opponent to Helms, released a statement.

“I know better than anyone how my opponent exploited the most divisive forms of politics to win a campaign and used his time in office to vehemently oppose civil rights efforts and deny economic and educational opportunities to all Americans,” said Harvey Gantt. “Any politician who stands with him is wrong for our state and fails to live up to the leadership required in this moment to stand up for all North Carolinians.” 

“The work to defend the fundamental right to vote continues, and we need a U.S. Senator from North Carolina who will stand on the right side of history to prevent voter suppression and safeguard our democracy,” NCDP Chair Bobbie Richardson said during the call. “That is not Ted Budd. Not only is he proud to campaign at an event held in honor of Jesse Helms, in Congress, he opposed the For The People Act, which would expand access to the ballot box by taking aim at institutional barriers to voting.”

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