NC Democrats, Republicans banking on star power to get voters to the polls

Big-name politicians and entertainers are descending on North Carolina stumping for candidates as the 2022 election season enters the home stretch. On Tuesday, they were focused on the neck-and-neck race for the state’s open U.S. Senate race.

Dave Matthews joined candidate Cheri Beasley and other Democrats in Raleigh Tuesday in an effort to 'rock the vote.'

"Glad to be here with Cheri Beasley," said Matthews.

Democratic US Senate candidate Cheri Beasley hit the stage ahead of Matthew's performance. She encouraged supporters to take advantage of early voting.

"For the next 14 days before the election," said Beasley. "Take 14 people to go vote."

Governor Roy Cooper presented the election as a protection of a number of issues at hand: Reproductive freedom, gun safety, and climate change.

Former president Barack Obama also launched an ad endorsing Beasley. In an interview with WRAL, she said Democrats are also highly motivated.

"I'm really thankful that we're seeing a lot of energy in this race, a lot of excitement. People understand we absolutely must feel a sense of urgency in this election cycle, and we're seeing a lot of support. We're working hard for every single vote across the state and we're feeling really good about where we are," she said.

Former Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz headlined an event in Johnston County on Tuesday afternoon to get out the vote for US Senate candidate Ted Budd.

Get out the vote rallies are really all about getting your party’s base motivated to go vote in the upcoming election. Cruz presented the election as a battle for the future between the forces of good and evil. He said Republican values are under attack.

"Revival is coming," said Cruz.

The crowd streamed into the parking lot at Cruz’s invitation to sign his tour bus. It was covered with slogans like Impeach Biden and Kamala and the red wave is coming 2022. Cruz said he believes the GOP will win both the US House and Senate, and Budd agreed.

Just as North Carolina voters lined up for the opportunity to get their picture taken with Texas Senator Ted Cruz, Republicans are just hoping they’ll line up at the ballot box as well.

"Freedom is worth defending. America is worth defending. And together North Carolina and the rest of the country is defending the United states of America," said Cruz. "We need everybody to come across the line that's Republican this year. It's real easy right now. First, you gotta show up. Then you vote republican."

Political analyst Dave McLennan said experts are trying to predict overall voter turnout.

He considers this an "unpredictable year."

"Democrats have used early voting and mail-in or absentee voting to a higher degree than republicans. And then republicans have sort of made up the difference and sometimes exceeded that difference on election day voting," said McLennan.

Early voting is already underway in North Carolina, and election day is November 8.

Ted Cruz on a 17-state tour to support GOP candidates. Dave Matthews is making a stop in Pennsylvania to support Dem candidate for US Senate John Fetterman.