Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Former Secretary of State of State Hillary Rodham Clinton urged North Carolina Democrats on Saturday to work to re-elect Sen. Kay Hagan, stumping for the incumbent in a race that will help decide which party controls the U.S. Senate.
Clinton headlined a rally in Charlotte with Hagan, who is locked in a tight re-election campaign against Republican challenger Thom Tillis.
Before more than 1,000 people in a convention center ballroom, Clinton said the race will come down to turnout. And she asked Hagan's supporters to get voters to the polls on her behalf.
"A race will often come down to who has more money, who is peddling more fear and who turns out. And there is nothing more important for Kay than who turns out," she said.
Hagan also focused on that point.
"You better believe that the eyes of the country are on North Carolina right now," Hagan said. "Folks all across the nation are looking at our state to see if our grassroots effort can still triumph over out-of-state billionaires" who are "trying to buy this election."
Republicans have long eyed North Carolina as a top target to help win back the Senate.
The campaign is considered the most expensive in the country when spending by Hagan, Tillis and outside groups is taken into account. The Center for Responsive Politics recently said the combined amount has now reached almost $90 million.
"I can only win the election with your help," Hagan said, adding that early voting has started and that she needs her supporters to "take three people to the polls before election day."
Tillis has brought in his share of top GOP leaders to campaign for him this fall, including 2016 hopefuls New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
