WILMINGTON, N.C. — First Lady Laura Bush was in North Carolina Friday, campaigning for U.S. Rep. Richard Burr, who is running for the U.S. Senate.

About 300 people paid $500 to lunch on mediterranean chicken salad and lemon creme brulee tart and to hear Bush campaign for Burr.

"When you can bring the First Lady, I think we have an obligation to do that and expose North Carolinians in the most prominent way we can to the First Lady of the country," Burr said.

Said Bush: "Richard's strong support for the president's economic stimulus plan has enabled millions of families, including 2.5 million here in North Carolina, to keep more of their own money."

Burr used much of his time to tout the president.

"I am working hard, of course, on my campaign, but also to make sure George Bush is the next president," he said.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Patrick Ballantine got some mileage out of this event in his hometown.

"Richard and I are friends, our wives are friends and we're running as a team. We really believe in the three Bs -- Bush, Burr and Ballantine," he said.

Burr even showed off a new BBB bumper sticker.

The event was sponsored by the College Republicans at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

Burr faces Democrat Erskine Bowles in November.

Bowles is the former White House chief of staff in the Clinton administration. He plans to meet with voters in eastern North Carolina over the next two days as he continues a bus tour of the state.

On Friday, Bowles made stops in Lillington, Fayetteville and Sanford.

On Saturday, Bowles will meet with voters in Rocky Mount, Wilson, Tarboro and Greenville.

Burr and Bowles are running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. John Edwards, the Democratic vice presidential nominee.