Hagan won’t challenge Burr for Senate
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Former US Sen. Kay Hagan says she will not challenge incumbent Republican Sen. Richard Burr for his seat next year.
Hagan officially made the announcement in a statement she posted this afternoon on the Kay Hagan for Senate Facebook page.
“I have worked hard, along with my incredible team, to abide by our State Toast in helping ‘the weak grow strong and the strong grow great’ in North Carolina,” the statement reads in part. “But there is much work left to be done and, after careful deliberation, I have decided that my role going forward is as a citizen of our great state and not as an elected US Senator.”
Hagan, a Democrat, lost her seat last year after one term in a close race with Republican Thom Tillis that was also the most expensive Senate race in US history. Next year’s race for Burr’s seat is lining up to also see a great deal of money spent, as Democrats are targeting the seat. Hagan appears to believe other candidates have a chance to win that election.
“There are numerous qualified candidates who can provide North Carolina with the leadership our state deserves–fighting for economic fairness, strengthening the support we provide to members of our armed services and military families, and ensuring once again that North Carolina’s public education system is the best in America,” Hagan said.
Before beating Republican incumbent Sen. Elizabeth Dole in 2008 to get to Washington, Hagan served a decade in the NC Senate.
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