U.S. Senate Candidate Kay Hagan Wins Democratic Debate
Record of Results, Knowledge of Issues Contrasts with Opponents
CONTACT: Colleen Flanagan
March 28, 2008
Colleen@kayhagan.com
336-686-7053
GREENSBORO, NC – Emphasizing her experience balancing the state budget in Raleigh and her leadership on issues of education, State Senator and U.S. Senate candidate Kay Hagan (D-Guilford) proved at tonight’s debate that her experience and record of results make her the most electable candidate in November and the most prepared to fight for the people of North Carolina in the U.S. Senate. The debate, held at Craven Community College in New Bern, was sponsored by the League of Women Voters and Public Radio East.
While traveling the state, it’s clear many people are concerned about the economy in this election, and Kay’s experience sets her apart from other primary opponents. Kay has spent much of her time in the state Senate focusing on accountability and transparency in the budgeting process, and as the chairwoman, Kay has balanced the budget while still providing healthcare for over 100,000 uninsured North Carolinian children. Kay repeatedly demonstrated the depth of her knowledge on the critical economic issues facing the nation.
“As I’m traveling throughout the state, people are struggling. Call it what you want to call it, the folks I’m talking to think we’re in a recession,” Kay said. “We do things right in North Carolina, and we’ve set up protections for people who may have lost their jobs and are struggling to make their mortgage payment. There are a number of ideas on the federal level we should look at, but the fundamental problem is that Washington is broken. We need new leadership there who will help these families stay in their homes and keep our communities strong.”
Kay also emphasized the importance of and her longstanding commitment to education throughout tonight’s debate. Building on her accomplishments in expanding the state university system to meet the growing student population and increasing teacher pay while reducing class size, Kay explained what she feels needs to be done regarding education in our country and in North Carolina.
“Education is the most important thing we do in this country and we need to make sure that we approach it from a common sense standpoint.” Quoting Senator Chris Dodd, Kay said, “Reforms without resources are like schools without teachers — they just don’t work.” Kay continued, “We need to hold teachers and students accountable if we’re going to educate a generation of learners who can compete on the world stage.”
Throughout her years in public service, Kay has helped pick up where Washington has come up short; expanding coverage through HealthChoice and NC Medicaid when Washington failed to provide healthcare for uninsured children and supporting radios and body armor for North Carolina’s National Guardsmen when Washington failed to provide the equipment they needed. Through her record in the state Senate and by the policies she outlined in tonight’s debate, Hagan has made the most powerful case to the voters of North Carolina that she is ready to fix what’s broken in Washington and advocate on behalf of North Carolina’s residents.
“Elizabeth Dole is ineffective and spends too much time looking after special interests and lobbyists,” Kay said. “Working class families I talk to think Washington is broken, and they’re right. But we can fix it and I’m asking for your support to do so.”
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