Public Radio for the Piedmont and High Country
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Burr Wins U.S. Senate Race Over Democrat Deborah Ross

Sen. Richard Burr speaks to supporters in his hometown of Winston-Salem, North Carolina during his victory speech on November 8, 2016. -- WFDD Photo by Keri Brown

Incumbent U.S. Sen. Richard Burr has held off a challenge from Democrat Deborah Ross to retain his seat.

The conservative Republican was in a tight re-election fight with Ross, a former state legislator from Raleigh.

Burr began his victory speech at Forsyth Country Club in Winston-Salem by thanking his fellow North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, who introduced him at the podium. He credits his win to his family and loyal supporters. He says he's looking forward to another term in the Senate.

“Campaigns are about differences, differences between the candidates. But now that the election is over it's time to move forward with solving the very real problems that we face as a nation," says Burr. "Those of us that serve as elected officials must do so in a way that positively affects all of our citizens.”

Burr repeatedly attacked Ross for her work as the former top attorney and lobbyist for the state American Civil Liberties Union in his bid for a third term.

Placeholder

Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, Deborah Ross, delivers her concession speech after her defeat to Republican U.S. Senator Richard Burr. 
CREDIT BRIAN BATISTA/ WUNC
 

Throughout her campaign, Ross tied the Republican senator to Donald Trump and to state GOP policies such as the law limiting protections for LGBT people.

During her concession speech in Raleigh, Ross thanked her supporters and said she has no regrets.

We've met people who have been struggling, who need to have the minimum wage increased. We've met older people who can't make ends meet, just Social Security and Medicare. We've seen what the needs are for the state of North Carolina and I hope this next Congress will address them, says Ross.

Tuesday's race was considered critical for Democrats trying to regain control of the Senate. Ross was initially not well-known outside Raleigh, but her campaign gained a lot of momentum over the past few months.

The race was one of the most expensive Senate races in the state's history.

A recent report says outside groups alone spent $58 million on the North Carolina Senate Race between Burr and Ross.

*Follow wfdd's Keri Brown on Twitter @kerib_news

Keri Brown is a multi-award winning reporter and host at 88.5 WFDD. She has been honored with two regional Edward R. Murrow awards for her stories about coal ash, and was named the 2015 radio reporter of the year by the Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas (RTDNAC).Although she covers a variety of topics, her beats are environmental and education reporting.Keri comes to the Triad from West Virginia Public Broadcasting, where she served as the Chief Bureau Reporter for the Northern Panhandle. She produced stories for the state's Public Television and Radio programs and was honored by the West Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters Association for her feature and enterprise reporting.She also served as an adjunct instructor at Wheeling Jesuit University and Bethany College in West Virginia. She worked with the Center for Educational Technologies in Wheeling, WV, and other NASA centers across the country to develop several stories about the use of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts in the classroom.Keri's journalism career began at WTRF-TV 7 in Wheeling. She worked in several roles at the station, including the head assignment editor. She also was a field producer and assignment manager at WPGH-TV Fox 53 in Pittsburgh.Keri is a graduate of Ohio University. When she's not in the studio or working on a story, she enjoys watching college football with her family, cooking, and traveling.Keri is always looking for another great story idea, so please share them with her. You can follow her on Twitter @kerib_news.

Support quality journalism, like the story above,
with your gift right now.

Donate