North Carolina Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Budd announced Thursday his endorsement of former President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election.
Budd made the announcement on his website, saying Trump’s America First agenda positively impacted North Carolina’s working families.
“Just a few years ago, America was strong, but now under Joe Biden, we are a nation in decline,” Budd said. “Our economy is faltering, our wide-open southern border is tragically wrecking lives, and our country’s power and influence in the world is diminished. Under President Trump, our economy saw record-setting growth, and families were starting to get ahead.”
He went on to say that neighborhoods were safer, the U.S. was achieving global peace, and the country was respected by allies and feared by enemies.
“Hardworking, everyday families need a return of the America First agenda to restore prosperity and peace,” Budd said.
Budd’s endorsement is also on Trump’s website. Trump endorsed Budd for U.S. Senate at the 2021 NCGOP convention in Greenville, N.C., and held a Wilmington rally in September, after which Budd leaned into Trump’s endorsement.
“Ted Budd has consistently supported America First policies that protect and promote American jobs as the top priority. Why would anyone back away from that?” said campaign adviser Jonathan Felts in campaign material promoting an ad featuring the former president.
Budd also sent out a tweet before Trump was indicted on April 4 for 34 felony counts of falsifying business records by a New York City district attorney.
“The Manhattan DA’s partisan prosecution of President Trump is a disgrace,” Budd tweeted. “NYC has a real problem with violent crime. Instead of spending so much time targeting his political enemies, Alvin Bragg should focus on doing his job to keep the people of NYC safe.”
Trump announced his third run for the presidency in November.