Democratic state Sen. Kay Hagan beat first-term U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole in a nasty U.S. Senate race in which the Republican incumbent questioned Hagan's faith and ties to an atheist advocacy group. Hagan's win gave Democrats the Senate seat that had been in Republican hands for 36 years, since Sen. Jesse Helms won his first election in 1972.

  1. WRAL video archive: Dole-Hagan Senate race

    Democrats' plans to take Jesse Helms' old Senate seat, but state Sen. Kay Hagan and Sen. Elizabeth Dole were tied after the primary. Although Dole struck back, gaining ground on immigration and off-shore drilling, the economy and presidential race favored Democrats. Dole did herself no favors with an ad questioning Hagan's ties to an atheist-advocate group – and Hagan’s Christian faith, critics said. On Election Day, Hagan beat Dole.

    1. Dec 8, 2008
  2. Hagan reflects on Senate win, looks to Washington

    After a Senate race that saw a negative turn, U.S. Senator-elect Kay Hagan said she is looking forward to “working closely” with opponent U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole.

    1. Nov 5, 2008
  3. Hagan defeats Dole in U.S. Senate race

    Democrat Kay Hagan will be the first Democrat to hold the seat since Sen. Jesse Helms took it for the GOP in 1972.

    1. Nov 5, 2008
  4. Dole, Hagan race across state in final day of campaign

    U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole and Democratic challenger Kay Hagan entered the last full day of campaigning Monday, moving throughout the state in an effort to secure a victory on Election Day.

    1. Nov 3, 2008
  5. Bob Dole chimes in on 'Godless' ad

    Incumbent GOP Sen. Elizabeth Dole's husband helped his wife campaign Sunday as her television ads, questioning Democratic state Sen. Kay Hagan's ties to an atheist group, continued to cause controversy.

    1. Nov 3, 2008
  6. Dole hits 'Godless' message again in new ad

    Republican U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole was back on the airwaves Friday with a new ad that again decries ties she says her rival has to an atheist group.

    1. Oct 31, 2008
  7. Hagan sues Dole over 'godless' ad

    Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Kay Hagan sued Sen. Elizabeth Dole Thursday after the Republican refused to stop airing an ad questioning Hagan's faith.

    1. Oct 30, 2008
  8. Hagan demands Dole take down ad on faith

    Democratic Senate candidate Kay Hagan angrily demanded Wednesday that U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole stop airing a new ad that questions Hagan's ties to an atheist political group, calling the spot a slanderous and pathetic attempt to maintain political power.

    1. Oct 29, 2008
  9. Poll: Dole leads Senate race, but plenty still undecided

    U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole is clinging to a slight lead over Democratic challenger Kay Hagan, according to a new WRAL News poll.

    1. Oct 29, 2008
  10. Dole remains passionate about public service

    A career public servant, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole has served five presidents – four Republicans and one Democrat – and she hopes to continue to serve in the Senate under a new president in January.

    1. Oct 24, 2008
  11. Hagan says she can relate to N.C. voters better than Dole

    Democrat Kay Hagan said her 10 years as a state lawmaker will allow her to better serve North Carolinians in Washington than Republican U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole.

    1. Oct 24, 2008
  12. Rhetoric heats up in tight Senate race

    With less than three weeks left until Election Day, Republican U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole and Democratic challenger Kay Hagan are slugging it out in advertisements and media interviews.

    1. Oct 17, 2008
  13. Poll: More N.C. residents blame GOP for economic woes

    Dissatisfaction with Republicans over the economy has allowed Democrats to pull even in the state in the upcoming presidential election, an Elon University poll found.

    1. Oct 3, 2008
  14. Dole, Hagan outline different transportation priorities

    Both candidates for U.S. Senate say transportation is a priority, but they drew sharp distinctions Friday while campaigning in Raleigh as to where federal transportation money should go.

    1. Sep 12, 2008
  15. Hagan, Dole express similar views on illegal immigration

    A recent Elon University Poll cited illegal immigration as one of the top three issues in the race for U.S. Senate between Republican incumbent Elizabeth Dole and Democratic challenger Kay Hagan.

    1. Sep 18, 2008
  16. Former Sen. Dole comments on N.C. Senate race

    Former Sen. Bob Dole talked to delegates this week about the hotly contested race between his wife, Sen. Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C., and challenger state Sen. Kay Hagan, D-Guilford.

    1. Sep 4, 2008
  17. WRAL News Poll: Dole holds lead in Senate race

    U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole leads her Democratic challenger, state Sen. Kay Hagan, 53 percent to 41 percent among North Carolina voters.

    1. Jul 17, 2008
  18. Dole now supports lifting ban on offshore drilling

    Sen. Elizabeth Dole said North Carolina should have the option of allowing oil exploration off the state's coast, backing away from her long-held support of a federal moratorium on Atlantic drilling.

    1. Jun 26, 2008
  19. Poll: Dole opens lead on Hagan

    U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole holds a 53 to 39 percent lead over Democratic challenger Elizabeth Hagan, according to a WRAL News poll.

    1. Jun 12, 2008
  20. Poll: Dole, Hagan in virtual tie in Senate race

    State Sen. Kay Hagan begins the general election campaign for U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole's seat virtually tied with the incumbent, according to the latest WRAL News poll.

    1. May 12, 2008
  21. Dole breezes to primary win; Hagan to challenge her

    Democratic State Sen. Kay Hagan will challenge Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole for her seat in the fall.

    1. May 7, 2008
  22. Poll: Hagan holds comfortable lead in Senate race

    One-third of voters remain undecided a week before the North Carolina primary, according to a WRAL News poll.

    1. May 2, 2008
  23. Poll: Mixed Results on Race, Gender, Age in Presidential Election

    The Elon University Poll shows most North Carolina residents say race, gender and age will not have an impact on their vote in the upcoming presidential election, but more than half say they know someone whose decision will be.

    1. Apr 18, 2008
  24. Dole Holds Commanding Lead Over Senate Challengers

    U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole enjoys a double-digit lead over two potential Democratic opponents, according to a recent poll.

    1. Apr 15, 2008
  25. State Dems Eye Dole's Senate Seat

    North Carolina Democrats are gearing up for a 2008 run at the U.S. Senate seat held by Elizabeth Dole.

    1. Mar 6, 2007
  26. Poll: Slight Majority Approves of Dole's Performance

    Responses showed that 51 percent liked how Sen. Elizabeth Dole is handling her job. Low marks for President Bush may hurt her re-election bid, however.

    1. Feb 25, 2008
  27. Sen. Dole Takes on Immigration Policy

    Immigration policy was discussed in Franklin County Tuesday with Senator Elizabeth Dole.

    1. Nov 28, 2007
  28. Neal Plays Up Being Outsider, Not Being Out

    Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Jim Neal said Tuesday that he doesn't think being a gay man should stand in the way of his campaign.

    1. Oct 24, 2007
  29. Dole, Sheriffs Discuss Immigration Enforcement

    In a rare appearance in Raleigh, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole said Thursday that she hopes to help local law enforcement authorities get a better handle on immigration.

    1. Aug 23, 2007