Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker this week endorsed state Sen. Kay Hagan, who faces investment adviser Jim Neal in next month’s Democratic primary for the right to challenge Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R) in the fall.

“Kay Hagan will represent North Carolina in Washington and help get our country back on track,” Meeker said in a statement.

Meeker will campaign for Hagan this weekend at the Wake County Convention.

Hagan, who aired her first television ad last week, also has a substantial financial advantage less than a month out from the May 6 primary. During the first quarter, she raised more than $820,000, leaving her with more than $1 million in the bank.

Neal, who had not released his first-quarter totals by press time Wednesday, had roughly $140,000 in cash going into this year’s first quarter.

— Matthew Murray