An internal survey of the North Carolina Senate race released by Democrat Elaine Marshall's campaign shows state Secretary of State Marshall narrowly ahead of her opponent, incumbent Republican Sen. Richard Burr. The poll, conducted by Lake Research Partners (D), has Marshall at 37%, Burr at 35%, and Libertarian candidate Mike Beitler at 5%. 

Burr "is the most vulnerable incumbent Republican Senator in the country," write pollsters Celinda Jake and Joshua Ulibarri. "Elaine Marshall is in a strong position to defeat Burr if she has the funds to competitively communicate her message. 

Read more: 

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/07/internal-poll-dem-marshall-leads-gop-sen-burr-in-nc-senate-race-but-just-barely.php

Elaine Marshall tried to raise the heat on a hot-button issue today by localizing the debate over extending federal unemployment benefits.

Marshall, the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, accompanied a petition with more than 15,000 signatures to an office of U.S. Sen. Richard Burr at 2000 W. First St. in Winston-Salem. The petition is aimed at encouraging Burr to change his position and vote for extending the benefits.

Read more:

http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2010/jul/20/marshall-hits-stump-draw-attention-benefits-extens/

Hi Friends --

What a beautiful weekend we have here in North Carolina! I hope we can all take this time to relax and celebrate with friends and family, and enjoy this uniquely American holiday. This break is much needed and much deserved.

But we should also take some time to think about how we got here as a country, and what this day is all about: The revolutionary ideals of freedom and self-governance, and the courageous men and women who fought and died to make this dream real.

On this day we must honor the Americans serving in Iraq and in Afghanistan, their families, and the many veterans who have served our nation in the past. Our soldiers reflect what is best in America -- and we can never forget it.

Times are tough. Our country is hurting. Here at home, this recession has taken a deep toll on our families and our communities. As a country, we're going to have to dig deep. We'll have to make some tough choices and we've got more work to do.

But I know we can make it through, and that we'll be better for it. Because as a country -- this holiday is here to remind us -- we've done it before.

Though our challenges today may be different, the same spirit and resolve that got us here is still alive and well. I know it. We've all seen it. We have to look no further than our troops to remember it.

So let's take this weekend to join with friends and family and celebrate this American holiday, our Independence Day. And let's continue our work to perfect that unlikeliest of experiments -- this great country, and a government of, by, and for the people.

Elaine.

Marshall, however, said cuts alone wouldn't save the country's economy. 

"We've got to make appropriate investments - the same thing you would do to make your business more profitable," Marshall said. "You can't cut your way into huge profitability." Libertarian Party nominee Michael Beitler said the Democrats and Republicans have both contributed to the nation's debt problems. 

 Read more: 

http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/06/26/1554889/burr-marshall-facing-off-in-first.html#ixzz0rz97tIzu

A new statewide poll shows the U.S. Senate race between incumbent Republican Richard Burr and Democrat Elaine Marshall is beginning even.

Marshall has received a bounce from her Democratic primary victory Tuesday and now trails Burr by a statistically insignificant margin of 44-43 percent, according to Rasmussen Reports. 

Read more:

http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/burr_marshall_in_dead_heat#ixzz0rnQoKR1T

Secretary of State Elaine Marshall cruised to a sweeping double-digit win in the North Carolina Democratic Senate runoff Tuesday night, earning the right to take on first-term GOP Sen. Richard Burr, who Democrats view as one of the two most vulnerable Senate Republicans.

Marshall, who has been elected four times to statewide office, defeated former state Sen. Cal Cunningham, a young, handsome Iraq veteran who struggled with low name identification but had the backing and financial support of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC).

With nearly all precincts reporting, she lead Cunningham 60 percent to 40 percent, piling up a 31,000 vote margin in a low-turnout affair where she ran as a quasi-incumbent and a populist against an opponent who lacked the funds to compete and a compelling narrative to generate enthusiasm.

Read more: 

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0610/38894.html#ixzz0reDGYPpx

Asheville, N.C. – On her visit to Asheville today, Secretary of State Elaine Marshall picked up the endorsement of another key ally in her effort to become North Carolina’s next U.S. Senator. Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy, the youngest mayor ever elected in Asheville and the first African American to hold the office, announced her support for Elaine Marshall Saturday, lauding Marshall for her “courageous and independent leadership” and for “standing firmly on the side of working and middle class families.”

Mayor Terry Bellamy released the following statement endorsing Elaine Marshall in the Democratic Senatorial runoff on June 22:

“Elaine Marshall's been an independent voice in North Carolina, standing up and standing firm for what is right. Elaine's public service-oriented and dedicated at her core to serving our state and people—not the narrow interests of party, or the wishes of the powerful. That's the type of courageous and independent leadership we need in the U.S. Senate.”

“As Mayor and also as City Councilperson, I've had the opportunity to work with Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and I've seen firsthand that she's a committed problem-solver. Though she didn't have to, Elaine reached out to my office, as she's done with so many others, because she knew that's what it would take to do the job well. She's focused on solutions, and I know as Senator she'll continue to work tirelessly for the people of our state.”

“Finally, in this deep recession, with so many hurting, I've decided to support Elaine Marshall because I know she stands firmly on the side of working and middle class families.

Before it was part of the national agenda, Elaine Marshall took on investment scams and strengthened consumer protections right here in North Carolina. It wasn't easy, the odds were stacked against her, but Elaine Marshall won real victories for our state, promoting responsible lending and protecting consumers, strengthening families and communities. In the U.S. Senate I know where she'll be—it’s just where she's always been—on the side of the people.”

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Elaine Marshall has picked up the support of the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People in her runoff.

The committee, long influential in Durham, had backed Chapel Hill lawyer Ken Lewis in the first primary, Rob Christensen reports. 

Marshall also gained the backing of Durham Mayor Bill Bell, who had also endorsed Lewis in the first primary. 

Read more: 

http://projects.newsobserver.com/dome#ixzz0qNWtYNM2

The National Federation of Democratic Women announced Saturday that Secretary of State and U.S. Senate candidate Elaine Marshall has been selected as the ‘Outstanding Democratic Woman Elected Official’ for 2010.

“I think this award is a little premature—I’d rather it come at the conclusion of my first term in the U.S. Senate!“ said Elaine Marshall. “I’m grateful for this recognition of the work we’ve done. I’m honored to have had the opportunity to serve the people of North Carolina, and I hope to continue to serve this state well.”

The national award is given annually to one female elected official as commendation for exemplary public service. Past winners include Governor Anne Richards of Texas, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas, and U.S. Senator Jean Carnahan of Missouri.

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Raleigh, N.C. – As the Black Legislative Caucus gathers for the 24th annual Black Legislative Caucus Foundation Education Scholarship weekend, a wave of African-American legislators from across the state are joining together to endorse Elaine Marshall. Eleven legislators and one former Representative who represent counties throughout eastern North Carolina, the Triangle and Mecklenburg County have all thrown their support behind Marshall. The Marshall Campaign expects additional endorsements in the coming weeks. 

 “It is inspiring to see leaders from across the state coming together behind our campaign. It is time for Democrats to unite, and that is what’s happening here,” said Marshall. 

Legislators announcing their support today for Elaine Marshall include: 

· Representative Kelly Alexander (D-107, Mecklenberg) 

· Representative and Democratic Whip Larry Bell (D-21, Sampson and Wayne) 

· Representative Angela Bryant (D-7, Halifax and Nash) 

· Representative Jean Farmer-Butterfield (D-24, Edgecombe and Wilson) 

· Former Representative Peter Cunningham (D-107, Mecklenberg) 

· Representative Rosa Gill (D-33, Wake) 

· Senator Malcolm Graham (D-40, Mecklenburg) 

· Representative Larry Hall (D-29, Durham) 

· Representative Marvin Lucas (D-42, Cumberland) 

· Senator Floyd McKissick Jr. (D-20, Durham) 

· Representative Mickey Michaux (D-31, Durham) 

· Representative Annie Mobley (D-5, Bertie, Gates, Hertford, and Perquimans)