The two Democrats vying for the chance to face Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) will meet for their first debate of the Democratic primary runoff tonight. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and Iraq War vet Cal Cunningham will square off at 7:00 p.m. eastern in Raleigh.
Marshall is hoping to carry the momentum she brought to the May 4 primary, when she came in first in a crowded field but failed to reach the 40% threshold required to prevent a June 22 runoff. Meanwhile Cunningham — the national party — is hoping to take advantage of the extra weeks of campaigning to make up ground. He came in second on May 4 but trailed Marshall by nine points.
Polls have suggested that voters are not particularly engaged in the runoff. A recent poll of the contest by Public Policy Polling (D) showed that both candidates have seen their name ID drop since the primary, a result of neither going on the air with ads since May 4. Tonight’s debate may serve to put a little fire back in the contest.
The last public poll of the race, taken shortly after the primary by PPP, showed the race tied at 36-36.
Both candidates trail Burr in polling. The TPM Poll Average for a Burr-Marshall matchup shows the Republican leading by a margin of 47.6-38.2. The TPM Poll Average for a Cunningham-Burr race shows Burr ahead by a margin of 47.1-36.0.
Tonight’s debate will be broadcast live on TV stations across the state. WRAL-TV, the Raleigh CBS affiliate hosting the debate, will stream it live on their website starting at 7 eastern.
Late Update: Here’s the whole debate, as broadcast in North Carolina this evening.
