Greensboro News and Record Editorial: Hagan gains impressive win

Greensboro News and Record
November 5, 2008

A year ago, it was the race most North Carolina Democrats didn’t think they could win. Even Kay Hagan thought twice, first saying no.

But when she finally put her mind to taking on Republican U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole, Hagan ran to win.

That’s just what the Greensboro Democrat did Tuesday, knocking off the Republican icon so convincingly there was virtually no election night drama. The celebrating began early at the Greensboro Coliseum, where Guilford County Democrats threw their biggest party in years.

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.

It didn’t come easily. Hagan first defeated four rivals in the Democratic primary. Then she survived a bruising battle against Dole, which both parties made a top national priority. Democratic and Republican Senate campaign committees poured millions into negative TV ads. But the worst, run by the Dole campaign in the final week, backfired on the incumbent. It linked Hagan to atheists and questioned her own faith. The Presbyterian elder responded fiercely, probably gaining the decisive edge.

Hagan ran a good ground game, too, as she, husband Chip, their three grown children and other family members hustled across the state all spring, summer and fall. The family force gave Hagan a visible advantage over Dole, who appeared less in touch with North Carolina concerns. If Hagan, 55, represents the state with as much energy as she marshalled in her campaign, this election won’t be her last.

Tuesday was a good day for Democrats in North Carolina, but Hagan’s win stood out — for her wide margin of victory and for unseating a formidable incumbent. She combined the right message with the right style, abilities Guilford County voters have seen in her for years but North Carolinians only learned of in the last few months.

When Hagan started, few would have predicted this outcome. It didn’t matter to her. The new senator-elect from Greensboro never ran to lose.

Back to The Newsroom