CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The control of Congress and state governments in North Carolina and South Carolina were up for grabs as Americans voted in the 2022 midterm elections.
RESULTS LIST: 2022 midterm election results for North Carolina, South Carolina
WATCH STREAM: WCNC+ live coverage from across the Carolinas
Nationally, Democrats proved surprisingly resilient, outperforming their party's own expectations. Meanwhile, Democrat John Fetterman won an open Senate seat held by the GOP in Pennsylvania, while other key races that will determine control of the chamber remain too close to call. That includes Georgia's race between Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker, which could be headed for a runoff if neither candidate eclipses 49% of the vote.
Here are some of the key races in North Carolina and South Carolina.
North Carolina
US Senate: Ted Budd vs. Cheri Beasley
Rep. Ted Budd defeated Democrat Cheri Beasley to win North Carolina’s open seat in the U.S. Senate, according to an NBC News projection, giving Republicans a huge victory in the 2022 midterm elections.
Budd earned endorsements from former President Donald Trump and other influential conservatives. Budd voiced opposition to Biden's energy policies and has sponsored legislation that would further restrict access to abortion following the Supreme Court's landmark reversal of Roe v. Wade.
Beasley, the first Black female to serve as chief justice on the North Carolina Supreme Court, was endorsed by former President Barack Obama and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper. Beasley's campaign hit Budd hard over his stance on abortion, with Beasley saying there is no room for politicians in the exam room. She also decried record corporate profits amid inflation impacting American families.
U.S. House District 14: Jeff Jackson vs. Pat Harrigan
North Carolina's newest congressional district was home to one of the tightest races in Congress. District 14 covers most of south and west Charlotte, as well as most of eastern Gaston County. The new seat was appointed based on U.S. Census data reflecting a population boom in the Charlotte metro area.
Jeff Jackson was a familiar face and name for voters in the Charlotte area. The Democrat has served in the General Assembly for eight years. His platform includes a push to codify Roe v. Wade into law. Jackson also supports so-called "red flag" gun laws that would allow firearms to be confiscated from people who are believed to be a danger to themselves or others.
The Associated Press called the race for him with only 28% of precincts reporting.
Pat Harrigan was a newcomer to North Carolina politics. The former Green Beret owns a firearms contract-manufacturing company that he started with his wife while on active duty. Harrigan had pledged to prioritize balancing the federal budget, decrease spending and punish violent criminals by enforcing laws on the books.
US House District 12: Alma Adams vs. Tyler Lee
North Carolina's 12th District is located in the city of Charlotte and surrounding areas in Mecklenburg County. Democrat Alma Adams has held the seat since 2014 when she was elected in a special election to replace former Rep. Melvin Watt. The Associated Press declared victory for Adams.
Tyler Lee is a Republican who was running for his first term in Congress. He graduated from Liberty University with a bachelor's degree in business marketing. After college, he became the youngest franchise owner in sweetFrog company history.
Key races in South Carolina
Governor: Henry McMaster vs. Joe Cunningham
Republican incumbent Henry McMaster won a second four-year term as South Carolina's governor. McMaster praised the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and has voiced support for the state's six-week abortion ban that's being held in the state supreme court. During a debate with Cunningham, McMaster said he wouldn't sign a bill into law that doesn't include exemptions for cases of rape or incest.
When it comes to abortion access, Cunningham said he would "trust women" to make their own healthcare decisions. Cunningham also took McMaster to task for not suspending the state's gas tax when problems rose earlier this year.
He also wanted to eliminate state income tax altogether, which he acknowledged would cost the state money. Cunningham proposed other ways to recoup that money, including legalizing marijuana and sports betting.
US Senate: Tim Scott vs. Krystle Matthews
Republican Sen. Tim Scott bested Democratic state Rep. Krystle Matthews. Scott was appointed to the Senate by former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley when Jim DeMint resigned from the seat.
Scott's campaign had significantly more cash than Matthews', according to the AP. Much of the attention on her campaign had been on a series of conversations that were taped without Matthews' knowledge. In those tapes, Matthews said she keeps white voters "under my thumbs" and suggested she should fund her campaign with "dope boy money," which she claimed was a joke.
Constitutional amendments
South Carolina voters are being asked to vote on two constitutional amendments relating to the state's budgeting process and "rainy day" funds.
1. A ‘Yes' vote will increase the amount of money state government must keep in the General Reserve Fund (its "rainy day" fund) from 5% of the previous year's revenue to 7% of the previous year's revenue. The General Reserve Fund is money available to cover unforeseen shortages in the budget.
2. A ‘Yes’ vote will increase the amount of money state government must appropriate to the Capital Reserve Fund (the “reserve and capital improvements” fund) from 2% of the previous year’s revenue to 3% of the previous year’s revenue and require that the Capital Reserve Fund’s first priority is to offset midyear budget cuts at state agencies. The Capital Reserve Fund pays back money spent from the General Reserve Fund.
Charlotte bond referendums
Voters in Charlotte approved the transportation bonds, housing bonds and neighborhood improvement bonds, so $146.2 million will go to fund street projects, $50 million for housing will go directly to the city's housing trust fund, and $29.8 million to bolster infrastructure in neighborhoods.
City leaders previously told WCNC Charlotte's Fred Shropshire the money invested from the bond would come at no additional cost to taxpayers by way of the Capital Investment Plan. The CIP is a long-range investment program designed to meet the community's needs brought on by growth.
Flashpoint is a weekly in-depth look at politics in Charlotte, North Carolina, South Carolina, and beyond with host Ben Thompson. Listen to the podcast weekly.
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Stitcher || Google Podcasts
All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.