KAY HAGAN

When Ted Budd won a surprise endorsement from former President Donald Trump last year, he was a little-known congressman running for a Senate seat in North Carolina against some of the state’s most recognizable Republicans, including a former governor.

Blue Leadership Collaborative aims to expand the pool of people of color, women and LGBTQ professionals with the skills to become campaign managers.

FILE - In a May 2006 file photo, Senate leader Marc Basnight speaks on the Senate floor at the Legislative Building in Raleigh, N.C. Basnight died Monday, Dec. 28, 2020, at age 73. Despite humble beginnings and little formal education, Basnight rose through state politics to serve in the Senate for 26 years. His nine two-year terms as Senate president pro tempore made him the longest-serving head of a legislative body in North Carolina history. While Senate leader, GOP senators complained Basnight had consolidated too much power. Bob Jordan died in February, while Sen. Tony Rand, who was majority leader and rules committee chairman under Basnight, died in May.

FILE - In this March 2, 2020 file photo, Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., speaks during a campaign rally for President Donald Trump in Charlotte, N.C. Tillis is calibrating his ties to Trump as he tries to find the right path for reelection in a closely divided state. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn, File)

Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, Trump said, has “been by my side!”But at that moment, Tillis wasn’t. Trump is holding a rally in Fayetteville, his fourth event in the battleground state in as many weeks, on Saturday. Voters most likely to back the president get campaign materials highlighting Tillis’ support for Trump’s policies. North Carolina remains among a dozen states without expansion — an issue that Cunningham used to criticize Tillis during the debate. Unaffiliated Charlotte voter Don Jonas, 53, said this week he still considers himself a persuadable voter in the Senate race.

(CNN) - Former US Sen. Kay Hagan of North Carolina died Monday, her family said in a statement. "We are heartbroken to share that Kay left us unexpectedly this morning," the Hagan family said. "Kay meant everything to us, and we were honored to share her with the people of North Carolina whom she cared for and fought for so passionately as an elected official." Hagan is survived by her husband, Chip Hagan, and children Jeanette Hagan, Tilden Hagan and Carrie Hagan Stewart. Sen. Richard Burr, a North Carolina Republican who served alongside Hagan, said in a statement that he and his wife "are deeply saddened by the sudden and untimely loss" of his former colleague.

"She was a champion for North Carolina and a fierce defender of all its citizens," Biden said. "Kay was a fierce advocate for North Carolina, and she represented our state with courage and grace her entire career," Cooper said. After being a stay-at-home mother, Hagan launched her own political career and won a seat as a Democrat in the North Carolina state Senate in 1998. Republican U.S. Sen. Richard Burr or North Carolina said Hagan worked diligently for the state and the people she loved. In addition to her father, Hagan is survived by her husband, Charles "Chip" Hagan, and three children: Jeanette Hagan, Tilden Hagan and Carrie Hagan Stewart.

Thom Tillis wins North Carolina The Republican challenger defeated Democrat Kay Hagan for the U.S. Senate seat. Voters who backed Tillis said they wanted change from Hagan, and her support for President Obama.

Sign Up For NewslettersIRS to delay tax filing deadline until May 17Learning what it takes to bring students back to schoolU.S. adding 16,000 emergency beds for migrant children12 anti-vaccine accounts responsible for 65% of disinformation, report saysJessica Walter, "Arrested Development" star, has died at 80Asian journalists on covering violence against their communityNCAA orders gender equity review of its basketball tournamentsSen. Kay Hagan, D-North Carolina, and her Republican challenger, North Carolina House Speaker Thom Tillis, traded accusations in a debate Tuesday night. North Carolina Senate debate focuses on Obama, state GOP policies Sen. Kay Hagan, D-North Carolina, and her Republican challenger, North Carolina House Speaker Thom Tillis, traded accusations in a debate Tuesday night. Be the first to knowGet browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not NowTurn On

Kay Hagan, Thom Tillis spar over contraception in N.C. Senate debate Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., and her Republican challenger discuss the recent Supreme Court decision on the contraception mandate in President Obama's health care law.

North Carolina Senate candidates clash in first televised debate Norah O'Donnell moderated a debate Wednesday in the important North Carolina senate race. Polls show Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan is in dead heat with her Republican challenger, state House Speaker Thom Tillis.

Kay Hagan, Thom Tillis: Obama should have acted sooner on ISIS Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., and her Republican challenger, state lawmaker Thom Tillis, discuss how the U.S. should combat extremists raging across Iraq and Syria.