Homeschool students campaign for Ted Budd, helping him win North Carolina U.S. Senate race

North Carolina just elected its newest U.S. senator in businessman, former U.S. representative and homeschool father Ted Budd.

But when it came to persuading voters, Budd received help from a group of nearly 90 homeschool students who are part of Generation Joshua, a youth outreach branch of the Home School Legal Defense Association.

The youth program seeks “to cultivate leaders and to equip them to use their beliefs to influence the political process.” In addition to other civic-minded activities, homeschool volunteers assist in close political races nationwide.

In total, 86 Generation Joshua volunteers campaigned for Budd, reaching some 120,000 voters. On Nov. 8, Budd defeated his opponent, Democrat Cheri Beasley, by 122,000 votes.

“The Senate is our last line of defense against the Left’s woke, socialist agenda and weak foreign policy,” Budd says on his website. “I will fight to restore the conservative, constitutional values that make this country great.”

Budd, who’s not only a homeschool father but also a Scoutmaster, previously served three terms as a U.S. representative for North Carolina. He advocated for parents’ rights, school choice and the importance of teaching civics and U.S. history.  

While serving in the House, Budd supported Sen. Lindsey Graham’s bill to restrict abortion access, as well as an attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act. He was a member of the House Committee on Financial Services.  

“Everything that I’m doing is about making life better,” Budd said in October. “Not just for us here in North Carolina, but us in this whole country.”  

All new members of Congress will be sworn into office on Jan. 3.