National GOP group targets Hagan in new ad

RALEIGH — Republicans are airing their first ad in North Carolina this year in an attempt to buoy the campaign of GOP Sen. Elizabeth Dole.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee launched a spot Tuesday that targets Dole’s Democratic rival, state Sen. Kay Hagan. It accuses Hagan of having a hand in increasing North Carolina’s debt, taxes and airing inaccurate television ads.

Hagan’s campaign pointed out that she helped balance the state’s budget for five consecutive years and has backed programs to assess the efficiency of government programs.

The ad is the first for the NRSC in the tight race. The group had said two weeks ago that it wouldn’t have the money to compete dollar for dollar with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign
Committee. The DSCC has aired two ads attacking Dole.

AP-NY-09-02-08 1849EDT