Tillis Wins Over Hagan In Expensive Senate Race

Republican state House Speaker Thom Tillis has defeated Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan after a lengthy, expensive race in North Carolina. 

The former IBM consultant and onetime architect of the GOP takeover in North Carolina state government defeated Hagan by a vote of 49 percent to 47 percent, with nearly all of the votes counted.

The result was the most expensive Senate race ever, with spending around $107 million, and close to 100,000 ads. Tillis ran on a platform that highlighted the Republican record of legislative accomplishments that included lower taxes and regulations. He and his allies also blasted Hagan for being too closely aligned with President Barack Obama.

Senator Hagan thanked her family and supporters during her concession speech in her hometown of Greensboro late Tuesday night. She says it's been an honor to serve her constituents, especially working families.

   

“Those are the families that I have worked to represent during my six years in the Senate and those are the families that still need a voice. This campaign has ended, but our work to improve the lives of North Carolinians and build an economy that works for everyone isn't over.”

Tillis's win means Republicans have seized control of the Senate for the first time in eight years. Libertarian Party nominee Sean Haugh was also on the ballot, capturing about four percent of the vote. 

Follow Keri Brown on Twitter @kerib_news