Both Hagan, Tillis Have Work Ahead As Election Day Nears

The race U.S. Senate race between incumbent Democrat Kay Hagan and Republican challenger Thom Tillis is among the most closely watched races of the year. It's also one of the most expensive.

Little says both Hagan and Tillis have their weaknesses. Hagan was considered a second-tier candidate when she took on and defeated then-Sen. Elizabeth Dole in 2008. Little says now after serving in the Senate, people know her better, "But I still think there's a lot of people that know the name, but don't know that much about her after the six years."

Tillis may not be as well known statewide as Hagan is now. That could mean he has more room to sway voters. But there's a catch, Little says. "Speakers of the House who run for state office almost never win - it's a very difficult situation. You make a lot of friends along the way, but you also make a lot of enemies."