North Carolina state Speaker Thom Tillis announced Friday he will challenge Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan. The Republican has long been expected to take on the first-term senator, who is among the most vulnerable incumbents facing re-election next year. He's the first major challenger to Hagan, though other Republicans are eyeing the race. "Friends, I have decided to run for the US Senate against Kay Hagan in 2014," Tillis wrote in a morning tweet. "I hope to earn your support." In an interview with the Associated Press, Tillis said defeating Hagan would help Republicans win the Senate majority and "turn the country in the right direction." He plans to officially enter the race next week. (more…)
