Who’s in, who’s out and who is still deciding on a 2022 US Senate run in North Carolina?
North Carolina Republican Richard Burr is not running for a fourth term in the U.S. Senate, creating an open seat for the 2022 election season and attracting plenty of interest from Democrats and Republicans.
The Senate is evenly divided with 50 Democrats or independents who caucus with them and 50 Republicans, which means races in swing states like North Carolina are sure to attract attention and money.
Republicans have won four consecutive Senate races in North Carolina (Sen. Thom Tillis in 2020 and 2014 and Burr in 2010 and 2016) and have won six of the last seven.
Here’s a look at who has declared their candidacy and who has said they won’t run, as of June 7. And then there are those who are part of the “Who’s running?” conversation but have yet to discuss their intentions.
We’ll update this story as candidates make themselves known.
Who is running for US Senate in NC?
Former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker, a Republican, announced his candidacy on Dec. 1.
Former N.C. Sen. Erica Smith, a Democrat, has been a candidate since last year and launched her campaign in March.
State Sen. Jeff Jackson, a Democrat, announced his candidacy in late January.
Libertarian Shannon Bray, a veteran, filed to run in February.
Virologist Richard Watkins, a Democrat, announced his candidacy in early March.
Jen Banwart, a Republican, announced her candidacy in March. She says she will not accept donations from anyone.
Independent Kimrey Rhinehardt, a former Burr staffer, is trying to get on the ballot as an independent. At least one other candidate is trying to get the needed signatures to get on the ballot as an independent — Adrien Meadows, according to the state board.
Beaufort Mayor Rett Newton, a Democrat, announced his candidacy in early April.
Former N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory, a Republican, announced his candidacy in mid-April.
Former N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley, a Democrat, announced her candidacy in late April.
U.S. Rep. Ted Budd, a Republican, announced his candidacy in late April. Former President Donald Trump endorsed Budd on June 5.
Brunswick County Commissioner Marty Cooke, a Republican, announced his candidacy in May.
Who else is in the conversation?
Former NASA astronaut Joan Higginbotham, a Democrat, was being recruited to run by a group that pushes and supports science and technology professionals to seek political office.
Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx, a Democrat, said he has nothing to say about a potential run, a stance that has not changed for several months.
Not running for Burr’s seat
Lara Trump, a Republican and the daughter-in-law of former President Donald Trump, announced in June that she would not run in 2022. “I am saying no for now, not no forever,” she said.
Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, said that he is not running for the seat in an interview with Politico in mid-March. Cooper won a second four-year term in November 2020. Cooper said the presence of Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who would become governor if Cooper won a Senate seat, is part of the reason he won’t do it.
Former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, a Republican, told The News & Observer and Charlotte Observer in late November that he is not running. Meadows, a former congressman, is now a senior partner at the Conservative Partnership Institute.
N.C. Republican Party Chair Michael Whatley told The News & Observer and Charlotte Observer in April that he is running for another term as party chairman.
North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore, a Republican, has hinted that this will be his last term as speaker, including in a 2019 podcast interview. Moore told The News & Observer in March that he plans to run for another term in the state House.
North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, a Democrat, is not running for Senate.
North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls, a Democrat, said in December that she had been contacted by “grassroots folks wanting to have a strong progressive candidate in North Carolina.” But Earls said she is focused on being a good justice.
For more North Carolina government and politics news, listen to the Under the Dome politics podcast from The News & Observer and the NC Insider. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, Megaphone or wherever you get your podcasts.
This story was originally published February 22, 2021 at 8:00 AM with the headline "Who’s in, who’s out and who is still deciding on a 2022 US Senate run in North Carolina?."
