The U.S. Senate race between incumbent Democrat Kay Hagan and Republican challenger Thom Tillis is among the most closely watched races of the year. It's also one of the most expensive.
According to the Center For Responsive Politics, a total of almost $24 million has been raised, putting it among the top five most expensive races in the country. For the next 2 months, the candidates will be trying to define the race in their favor. WFDD's Paul Garber talked with Thom Little, adjunct professor of political science at UNC Greensboro. Little says the campaign could be the most pivotal senate race in the country.
Little says Hagan was considered a a second-tier candidate when she took on and defeated then-Sen. Elizabeth Dole in 2008. Tillis may not be as well known statewide as Hagan is now. That could mean he has more room to sway voters. But there's a catch, Little says. "Speakers of the House who run for state office almost never win - it's a very difficult situation. You make a lot of friends along the way, but you also make a lot of enemies."