Hagan changes mind, to seek Senate seat

RALEIGH (AP) — State Senator Kay Hagan says she’ll seek the Democratic Party’s nomination for U.S. Senate after all.

Hagan said three weeks ago she would not challenge Republican Senator Elizabeth Dole.

Hagan says she’s changed her mind. The only announced Democrat, Jim Neal, last week confirmed he is gay. Hagan says her decision has nothing to do with Neal’s decision to enter the race.

Hagan says she changed her mind after talking to Democrats and Republicans. The Guilford County lawmaker said last month she could better serve the people of North Carolina in Raleigh rather than Washington.

Hagan co-chairs the state Senate Appropriations Committee. She says she has no plans to resign her state Senate seat now.

Hagan says her work on the budget show she can get things done.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)