CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The race between North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr and his challenger Deborah Ross has become one of the state’s biggest and tightest races, and could determine the direction Washington takes for years to come.
Democrats are hoping Ross can unseat Burr and switch the balance of power.
Political analyst Eric Heberlig said they’re hoping Donald Trump’s downward trend in the polls will give Ross and advantage.
“If Clinton wins North Carolina by a large amount, that’s probably going to be enough to pull Deborah Ross in,” Heberlig said.
Both campaigns are lashing out at each other.
Ross’ spokesperson said Burr is relying on “special interests” to bail his campaign out, while Burr’s campaign said Ross is using the support from Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama as a distraction from what they called a left-leaning record.
Heberlig said Burr, who has supported Trump, must not only win voters leaning toward Ross, but those favoring Clinton, too.
“It’ll be interesting to see how he walks that line to appealing to Clinton supporters and not look like he’s abandoning Donald Trump,” Heberlig said.
But a lot of outside money is coming in to advertise on behalf of the Democratic Party and Ross. It’s on top of her outraising Burr by $1.7 million and outspending him.
“If she can pull it out anyway, it’s really a testament to the damage that Trump has done to Republicans in general and the better turnout operation Democrats have in North Carolina,” Heberlig said.
Heberlig said as the days dwindle down before Election Day, knocking on doors and making phone calls will make the biggest difference in this race.
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