Republican Ted Budd wins North Carolina Senate race

The intrigue: Budd’s success may have also been driven by his attempt to paint Beasley as soft on crime in the final months of the race.

• Republicans pointed to Beasley’s rulings during her time as chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court.
• Budd will replace retiring Republican Sen. Richard Burr, who served in Congress for more than two decades and was chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee for several years.