Candidate filing has closed and the crowded field of North Carolina GOP U.S. Senate candidates is set – confirming that the primary will continue to be a messy fight with infighting and intra-party feuding.
Ted Budd, Pat McCrory, Marjorie Eastman, and Mark Walker have been fighting amongst each other since the moment they got in the race, and outside groups like Club for Growth have already disclosed that they plan to soon spend an additional $295,000 in negative attack ads against Pat McCrory. The “fireworks” and attempts to differentiate themselves in the recent debate, it’s clear these GOP rivals are destined for a nasty end to the primary.
Catch up on the stories that have defined the primary so far:
- News & Observer: Valentine-themed attack ad in US Senate race will interrupt NC’s ‘Bachelor’ night
- News & Observer: NC’s Rep. Ted Budd: Jan. 6 committee is in the way of ‘freedom-loving Americans’
- Spectrum News: 3 GOP Senate candidates at N.C. debate take aim at Ted Budd, who skipped event
- News & Observer: Republican U.S. Senate candidates unite, targeting fellow candidate on the rise in polls
- Charlotte Observer: A new, brutal mailer on Pat McCrory is a troubling sign for Republicans
- NBC News: New anti-McCrory ad attacks him for praising Romney in 2012
- WRAL: More than an attack ad: Outside group mails 12-page catalog bashing McCrory in US Senate race
- Politico: Nasty N.C. Senate primary tests Trump’s sway over the GOP
- News & Observer: Group backing Ted Budd for Senate calls Pat McCrory ‘fool’ in Olympics-themed ad
- Salon: N.C. GOP candidates struggle to out-Trump each other — who will be the Biggest Loser?
- Charlotte Observer: GOP Senate campaign heats up after report tying Budd to bankruptcy that hurt farmers
- Axios: GOP attacks its own
- Associated Press: Opponents target Ted Budd, Trump’s choice in GOP Senate race
- WXII: NC GOP Senate primary turns nasty
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