Tillis sensed victory over Hagan about 2 weeks ago

TOM FOREMAN Jr.
Associated Press

CORNELIUS, NC (AP) — North Carolina Sen.-elect Thom Tillis says his victory over incumbent Kay Hagan came as no surprise because projections taken about two weeks ago suggested he would win.

Tillis told reporters Wednesday that the outcome was with within one-half of a percentage point of what was predicted. He said the result was along the lines of what his campaign team predicted.

Tillis said he was able to close the gap in the polls once the North Carolina General Assembly adjourned and he and his campaign team mobilized in August.

Tillis captured the nation’s most expensive race for the US Senate with 49 percent of the vote, overcoming an early lead for Hagan and despite the fact that the House Speaker failed to carry any of North Carolina’s seven largest counties.

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