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November 05, 2008

Greensboro News and Record Editorial: Hagan gains impressive win

Hagan, a five-term state senator, becomes the first Greensboro resident elected to the U.S. Senate. She’ll take over the seat held by Jesse Helms for 30 years and then by Dole for six.

November 05, 2008

Raleigh News and Observer: Hagan pulls an upset

Raleigh News and Observer
Barbara Barrett
November 5, 2008

GREENSBORO – Incumbent U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole lost her re-election bid Tuesday night to Democratic state Sen. Kay Hagan, done in by Hagan’s tireless campaigning, millions of dollars from national Democrats and Barack Obama’s strong run in the state.
It was an upset virtually unthinkable just a year ago, when Democrats scrambled to find a challenger to take on Dole.

“What a difference a year makes,” Hagan said Tuesday in a victory speech in her hometown of Greensboro. Pundits, she said, were ready to hand Dole the keys to her Senate office for another term. “But it’s not her office, and we knew better.”

With...

October 31, 2008

McClatchy Newspapers: Critics slam Dole ad as Hagan fights back

McClatchy Newspapers
Lisa Zagaroli
October 31, 2008

U.S. Senate candidate Kay Hagan launched legal action against Sen. Elizabeth Dole’s “godless” attack ad Thursday as a chorus of critics joined her in accusing Dole of crossing the line with the controversial TV spot.

Democratic challenger Hagan, in a new ad of her own, accused the Republican incumbent of “bearing false witness against fellow Christians” when Dole suggested she was affiliated with a group of atheists who want to remove references to God from the public arena. The ad shows Hagan’s photo but uses another woman’s voice saying “There is no God.”

Dole continued to defend the ad, saying it “in no way attacks her faith, it questions her agenda.”...

October 31, 2008

McClatchy Newspapers: Voters, church leader speak out against Dole's `godless' ad

McClatchy Newspapers
Lisa Zagaroli
October 31, 2008

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — U.S. Senate candidate Kay Hagan said she came to talk about issues, but it wasn’t long after arriving at an early voting site in Charlotte that a few voters brought up what’s become the focal point of the race – the “godless” ad that Sen. Elizabeth Dole is running against her.

“What a nasty campaign this has turned into at the last moment,” Doug Gubbins, a retired computer programmer from Charlotte, said to Hagan as she worked the voting line at Marion Diehl Recreation Center.

As Carolina voters make their final decisions about who to vote for, the contest between Dole, the Republican incumbent, and...

October 31, 2008

AP: In final days, Hagan refocuses on message

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Kay Hagan refocused her campaign Friday on policy issues, declining to answer questions about a fundraiser she attended and dismissing ads about her Christian credentials as a distraction from the race.

October 30, 2008

Charlotte Observer Editorial: Dole's desperate turn to Big Lie advertising

Somewhere, Jesse Helms is laughing and clapping in glee

Charlotte Observer
October 30, 2008

North Carolina knows from sad experience about negative election campaigns and misleading, untruthful advertising. In the 1950 campaign, opponents of the late UNC President Frank Porter Graham used a doctored photo of his wife with a black man to inject race into a Senate campaign and help defeat the revered educator. In 1990, Sen. Jesse Helms used the infamous “white hands” ad, blaming the failure of a white person to get a job on a minority and “a racial quota” to help defeat former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt.

When Helms retired in 2002 and Salisbury native Elizabeth Dole was elected to take his place, voters here...

October 30, 2008

Greensboro News and Record Editorial: Dole’s attack on Hagan’s faith drives heated campaign lower

Greensboro News and Record Editorial
October 30, 2008

If Elizabeth Dole is still the gracious person North Carolinians have admired for many years, she’ll pull her new attack ad off the air. It’s worse than dishonest in its depiction of rival Kay Hagan as a “Godless American.”

Hagan raised a strong defense Wednesday, addressing the media in front of Greensboro’s First Presbyterian Church, where she’s been an active member and elder. Talking about her Christian faith and works, backed by family, friends and former minister Joe Mullin, she revealed a side of herself most voters haven’t seen.

Dole’s ad forced the political debate into the realm of religious beliefs. It exploits what now looks like a campaign...

October 30, 2008

Asheville Citizen-Times Editorial: As election near, negative ads a distraction

Asheville Citizen-Times
October 30, 2008

In the final days before the election, it comes as no surprise that campaign ads are turning more negative, but voters should ignore the noise and stay focused on the issues that matter.

The degree to which a campaign resorts to mud-slinging is a pretty good indication about how desperate it is.

One of the more egregious examples of negative campaigning began running Tuesday in North Carolina.

It’s an ad put up by the Elizabeth Dole campaign, approved by Dole, that says a leader of the Godless Americans PAC recently held a “secret” fundraiser in Kay Hagan’s honor.

At the end of the ad, the narrator asks “What did Hagan promise in return?” In...

October 28, 2008

Salisbury Post: Hagan brings Senate fight to Dole’s hometown

Kay Hagan spoke to a group of local female leaders Monday, the meeting held almost in the backyard of the home of the woman she’s challenging for a U.S. Senate seat.

October 23, 2008

Burlington Times-News: Hagan brings senate campaign to Alamance County

Burlington Times-News
Keren Rivas
October 23, 2008

New jobs for North Carolina, reinvestment in agriculture and better federal spending were part of the message U.S. Senate candidate Kay Hagan shared during a visit to a cattle farm in northern Alamance County Thursday afternoon.

“We’ve got to be sure that we have farmers who continue to farm,” Hagan said to the handful of farmers from Alamance and Caswell counties who gathered at Bell’s Farm to hear her speak.

Hagan, a state senator from Guilford County, is trying to unseat incumbent Sen. Elizabeth Dole.

She said that because the area has seen a huge loss of jobs during the past couple of years, particularly in the manufacturing sector, there is a need for...

October 23, 2008

Wilson Daily Times Editorial: Hagan is the choice for Senate

Wilson Daily Times
October 22, 2008

For many Wilsonians, this race of the U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina has been a major disappointment.

What should have been a captivating race between two accomplished women quickly degenerated into one of the worst name calling campaigns that we have seen in many years.

The loser in all this has been the voters, who have had to try to make sense out of all the negative TV ads that have spewed forth in the last couple of months.

The public has also been cheated in this race because there have been no debates between the two candidates and no chance for us to size them up side by side. What we know of where they stand on the issues is more likely to have come from the negative spin being put forth by...

October 22, 2008

Raleigh News and Observer Editorial Endorsement: A promising choice

But even if she began the campaign not well known, Hagan has proved herself a worthy candidate. She has come up with some progressive ideas she hopes to advance in the Senate — solid, detailed ideas that would bolster the hopes of the middle class, improve public education, give some hope to those who fear what the economic decline will do to their savings and their ability to stay in their homes.

October 18, 2008

AP: Hagan focuses on meeting voters in Senate race

Kay Hagan is a new face, aggressively thrusting out her hand to greet nearly every passer-by. She draws skeptical and curious looks from some, but most seem thrilled to meet the Democratic state senator as she moves briskly through the weekend market. Hagan doesn’t have much time. Her upstart bid for U.S. Senate draws closer by the day, and there are just so many people to meet.

October 17, 2008

Durham Herald-Sun: Hagan our choice for U.S. Senator

Durham Herald-Sun
October 17, 2008

In the race for United States Senate, choosing between the incumbent, Republican Elizabeth Dole and the challenger, Democrat Kay Hagan, is a tough call.

Both are intelligent, committed women with deep ties to the state. Both have the best interests of North Carolina and the nation at heart, although you would never know that from their campaign ads.

On both sides, this has been one of the more negative campaigns we’ve seen, which is saying something in this era of negative campaigns.

But after setting aside the insults and exaggerated charges, we conclude that Hagan would be the better choice to represent the state in the U.S. Senate. We concede that she is an unproven quantity in national office,...

October 12, 2008

Charlotte Observer: Hagan better choice for U.S. Senate seat

Charlotte Observer
October 12, 2008

North Carolina voters seek three key things from the people they send to the U.S. Senate: independent thinking, fierce advocacy for the state and tangible results. Those solid rules of thumb reflect the state’s non-nonsense values.

Those values are why voters should make a change in the U.S. Senate Nov. 4. In that race Sen. Elizabeth Dole, 72, a Republican, is seeking a second term. Challenging her is Democrat Kay Hagan, 55, a state senator for 10 years.

This is not an easy choice, but we recommend Hagan. We believe she offers citizens the better hope of having an effective and independent voice in the Senate. She also offers them a voice that is more closely attuned to everyday life in North...

October 11, 2008

Morganton News Herald: U.S. Senate candidate attends Sheriff's barbecue

Morganton News Herald
Julie N. Chang
October 11, 2008

MORGANTON – “I want to be sure we protect the working people,” five-term N.C. Sen. Kay Hagan said on Saturday at Burke County Sheriff John McDevitt’s annual barbecue held at the Collett Street Recreation Center in Morganton.

Oversight, regulation and limiting chief executive officers’ compensation are among some of the things Hagan said she wants to change about banks if she gains the U.S. Senate seat.

Hagan, the Democratic nominee running against Sen. Elizabeth Dole, said taxpayers shouldn’t be paying for the current financial crisis. Another concern is helping North Carolinians keep their homes, she said.

The senator...

October 10, 2008

Winston-Salem Journal Editorial: Election '08: U.S. Senate

Winston-Salem Journal
October 10, 2008

North Carolina voters will choose between two bright, energetic and capable women when they elect their next U.S. senator. Today the Journal endorses state Sen. Kay Hagan, a Greensboro Democrat, for the office.

Hagan, 55, is a bundle of brains and energy. A lawyer and former banker, she has been a leader in the state Senate almost since the day she entered 10 years ago. Alongside budget committee co-chairwoman Sen. Linda Garrou, Hagan led the crafting of the budgets that have guided state spending on schools, roads, social services, economic development and much more.

While we are often critical of the General Assembly on particular issues, its overall performance has been strong. It has made the strategic...

October 09, 2008

Asheville Citizen-Times Editorial Endorsement: Hagan will give N.C. a better voice in the Senate

“North Carolina needs and deserves a senator who stays in touch with her constituents and the changing dynamics of a fast-growing state. And it deserves a knowledgeable, collaborative, but forceful voice in the U.S. Senate. We believe Kay Hagan promises to be such a voice.”

October 06, 2008

Lexington Dispatch: Hagan campaigns at Lexington nursing home

Lexington Dispatch
Seth Stratton
October 6, 2008

Involved in a tight race for the U.S. Senate, state Sen. Kay Hagan stopped in Lexington on Monday to introduce seniors and senior care workers at The Brian Center to a plan focused on the interests of many seniors.

Hagan’s plan would work specifically on the issues of ensuring secure retirements, providing quality care for seniors and protecting seniors from fraud and other types of abuse. After touring the nursing care facility with the center’s staff, Hagan spoke to some of the facility’s 96 residents during lunch.

Hagan, a Democrat and Greensboro attorney who is challenging Republican incumbent Sen. Elizabeth Dole, spoke about a tough time in her life when her mother suffered a stroke and...

October 05, 2008

Greensboro News and Record Editorial: Hagan’s track record recommends election

Greensboro News and Record Editorial
October 5, 2008

For years, Kay Hagan has been Guilford County’s go-to state senator in Raleigh. Smart, energetic and well-connected, she’s drawn high ratings for effectiveness.

One example stands out: state support for the furniture market in High Point.

High Point isn’t part of Hagan’s Senate district, but she recognized its economic importance to Guilford County, the Triad and all of North Carolina. Then she made sure that leaders in Raleigh — in the administration and the legislature — understood, too. With other area representatives of both parties, she won backing for state funding for transportation and marketing to improve the important furniture show. The amounts of money...

October 05, 2008

Charlotte Observer: Hagan known for energy, involvement

Charlotte Observer
Jim Morrill
October 5, 2008

Kay Hagan already knows the ups and downs of the U.S. Senate.

During a Capitol internship in the mid-‘70s, she operated the bronze elevator that ferried senators to and from the chamber. Squeezing inside were members such as Ted Kennedy, Joe Biden and her uncle, Lawton Chiles of Florida.

At the controls, the senator’s niece daydreamed about a political career of her own.

“You aspire to it,” she says. “It’s infectious.”

Now the Greensboro Democrat wants to return to Washington.

Hagan, 55, is challenging Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole in one of the country’s highest-profile contests.

Polls show a tight race in what to some extent has...

September 30, 2008

Wilson Daily Times: Obama, Hagan gaining state support, poll shows

Wilson Daily Times
Matt Shaw
September 30, 2008

Concerns about the economy are causing more North Carolinians to support Barack Obama. a new poll shows.

Obama led John McCain, 47-45 percent, in the survey released Monday by Public Policy Polling of Raleigh. A week ago, the candidates were tied.

The same survey found that Kay Hagan has opened her largest lead yet — 8 percentage points, up from 5 percent a week ago — over Elizabeth Dole in the U.S. Senate race.

Those surveyed cited the ongoing economic crisis as, by far, their top concern in this year’s elections.

“Things are getting out of control for Republicans in North Carolina pretty fast,” said Dean Debnam, PPP...

September 29, 2008

New PPP Poll Shows Kay up by 8 Points

PPP
Tom Jensen
September 29, 2008

Hagan expanding lead
Kay Hagan 46
Elizabeth Dole 38
Christopher Cole 6

Kay Hagan now has her largest lead yet in North Carolina’s Senate race. She led by 5 points a week ago and a single point three weeks ago.

Particularly trouble for Dole is how well Hagan is connecting with white voters. She trails Dole just 47-38 with that group. Usually for a Republican to win statewide here they need at least a 20 point advantage with whites to offset overwhelming African American support for Democratic candidates.

Hagan has expanded her lead with independents from 9 points to 14. She leads in almost every region of the state, and perhaps most significantly is up...

September 26, 2008

Goldsboro News-Argus: Senate hopeful makes stop, talks to Wayne County farmers

Goldsboro News-Argus
Matthew Whittle
September 26, 2008

North Carolina Senator and U.S. Senate candidate Democrat Kay Hagan talks with Wayne County farmer Andy Evans, co-owner of Evans Farms, during a visit to Jerry West’s farm near Fremont on Thursday.
Talking primarily about the current national economic crisis, Mrs. Hagan, a Democrat and current state senator from Guilford County, accused her opponent, incumbent Republican Elizabeth Dole, of being absent and out-of-touch with the issues, focusing specifically on her criticism that Mrs. Dole, a member of the Senate Banking committee, once went 60 meetings without saying a word.

“No questions, no statements,” Mrs. Hagan said.

It’s a charge that the Dole campaign has...

September 24, 2008

Wilson Daily Times: Senate candidate Kay Hagan visits Wilson

North Carolina needs to send Kay Hagan to the U.S. Senate, former Gov. Jim Hunt said today.

“The crowd in Washington has messed things up as badly as I’ve ever seen it, as bad as it’s been since the Great Depression,” Hunt said to about 85 people at Something Different restaurant this morning.

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