RALEIGH, N.C. — Democrat Erskine Bowles and Republican Richard Burr are headed into the homestretch with different campaign strategies in their quest to win a seat on the U.S. Senate.

According to a recent

Voters' Voice poll

, Bowles leads in the east from the Triangle to the coast while Burr leads in the west from the Triad to the mountains.

Bowles was in Raleigh Monday as part of his marathon tour that stretches from Wilmington to Asheville.

"I'm trying to see as many people as I can and try to convince people who haven't made up their mind that I can do the job for them if they need a strong independent voice up in Washington," Bowles said.

Burr's RV Tour over the weekend stretched from Whiteville to Hickory. Although he was in the western part of the state Monday, he had a voice in the Triangle, Sen. Elizabeth Dole.

"I'm very, very proud and privileged to be out there talking about what a tremendous man he is," Dole said.

Both parties want people at the polls, especially women. North Carolina State University political science professor Andy Taylor said the breast cancer ads on both sides are an attempt to appeal to the group.

"Many are Republican leaners on economic issues," he said. "They worry a lot about what they may consider the hard-core social conservative tinge in the Republican candidates in state races."

Bowles will campaign in his hometown of Charlotte, and also make stops in Greensboro and Raleigh, on Tuesday. Burr will vote in his hometown of Winston-Salem and then make appearances at Winston-Salem polling sites.