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After hammering each other for weeks during the primary runoff, former Democratic Senate rivals Elaine Marshall and Cal Cunningham held a love-in Wednesday, one day after Marshall clinched her party's nomination.

Marshall and Cunningham stood side-by side at a news conference at state Democratic Party headquarters, Rob Christensen reports. Cunningham pledged to work hard for Marshall, and Marshall expressed appreciation for Cunningham's support.

Cunningham, the former state senator who lost by a 60-40 percent margin to Marshall, talked about her “grit and determination.”

“I can't think of a stronger, more tenacious person to put in this U.S. Senate seat to replace Richard Burr and put this seat back to work for the people of this state,” he said before about two dozen Democrats.

“I want to thank Cal, the newest member of the campaign team,” said Marshall, the four-term secretary of state. “We are pleased and honored to have you. “

“I'm proud of the opponents that I have faced,” she said. “I am proud for us to be standing together to beat Richard Burr.”

Introducing Cunningham was Chapel Hill lawyer Ken Lewis, who finished third in the first primary and endorsed Marshall in the runoff.

Such unity events are traditional. But Wednesday's event was called after Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele said the Senate primary had left the North Carolina Democratic Party “largely fractured” and Texas Sen. John Cornyn had called it “a divisive primary battle.

Democratic Senate nominee Elaine Marshall emerged at a full banquet room this evening as supporters chanted, "Go, Elaine, Go!"

Washington has a lot of problems, and Marshall said one of the biggest is Republican Sen. Richard Burr.

"He stood with insurance companies against patients and families. He stood with Wall Street against financial reform. And now, he's standing with big oil against the people of the Gulf coast."

"I ask you to stand with me in taking back this seat for the people of
North Carolina," she said.

After the speech, Marshall and former opponent Kenneth Lewis stood together on the small stage, holding their hands joined in a victory clutch above their heads, reports Lynn Bonner.

She talked of some of the challenges she faced in the campaign, which
she started when her husband was ill. "My only regret is that he is not here tonight to share the victory with us," she said.

Marshall said she had taken on challenges and defied expectations her entire life.

"The Washington establishment made it clear we'd have to win this election without their help," she said, referring to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee's decision to support her opponent, Cal Cunningham.

After her victory speech, Marshall said she'd talked to the DSCC and they want to meet with her.

"They understand what it takes to win a campaign," she said.

 

Cal Cunningham conceded the race to Elaine Marshall and called on his supporters to unite behind her.

Cunningham said he would campaign for her against Republican Sen. Richard Burr.

"We have to come together to make sure North Carolina's voice is being heard in Washington," Cunningham said at a gathering in Lexington.

"I think you can take it from me, she's a tough campaigner," Cunningham said of his former opponent. "She's tenacious. Let's make sure that we're behind her, each and every one of us."

North Carolina Democratic Party Chair David Young released a statement saying the party is excited to have Elaine Marshall as its nominee.
 
"Elaine will continue to fight for middle class families in the U.S. Senate and promote job creation," Young's statement said.

Then the divided party immediately aimed at Republican Sen. Richard Burr.

“In contrast, Richard Burr has spent the past 15 years siding with powerful special interests in Washington and voting for job-killing policies that devastated North Carolina’s economy. Burr is so out of touch he recently told the News & Observer he was reluctant to ‘second guess’ British Petroleum, the oil giant responsible for the worst environmental disaster in American history.
 
“While Richard Burr will have the full support of the big money special interests this fall, voters will have a chance to replace him with a new senator who will fight everyday for North Carolina.”

Moments ago, Durham lawyer Kenneth Lewis, who backed Secretary of State Elaine Marshall after coming in third in the primary, announced that AP has called the race for her.

Supporters applaud and cheer at a boisterous gathering at the Brownestone, reports Lynn Bonner.

Marshall is waiting for a telephone call, Lewis said smiling. After she gets it, she'll be out to talk.

Elaine Marshall has won the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, the Associated Press reports.

At the Brownstone Hotel in Raleigh, large and happily chattering crowd of  Marshall supporters watched a projection screen, reports Lynn Bonner. With only 14 counties reporting, the AP called  the election for Marshall, the secretary of state, over former state Sen. Cal Cunningham of Lexington.

There was no official announcement at the gathering. One supporter heard the news from a reporter, and spread the word to a few standing nearby.

VOTE TODAY: Cal Cunningham and Elaine Marshall made their final pitches before today's Democratic Senate primary runoff, offering alternative storylines of fresh energy versus tested experience; an Iraq war veteran versus a pioneering woman. The challenge will be finding voters to cast a ballot. (N&O)

NOT FOLDING YET: The fight over video sweepstakes games will continue now that the Senate has overwhelmingly approved a ban on the machines. (N&O)

SLUDGE FLAP: The state mistakenly allowed five cities to spread sludge from sewage plants on fields near surface water, violating a 1992 law prohibiting the practice. (N&O)

Retired general and former presidential candidate Wesley Clark recorded a robocall for Cal Cunningham.

The call went out Sunday, two days before voters choose Cunningham, a former state senator, or Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, to be the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate.

Cunningham's campaign released a transcript of the recorded call.

This is retired General Wes Clark. I ask you to join me in supporting Cal Cunningham in the United States Senate runoff on Tuesday.

Cal Cunningham is without a doubt the best Democrat to beat Richard Burr this November.

Cal Cunningham would be the first Iraq War veteran in the United States Senate, and he would stand up for veterans and middle-class families.

It is time for a new generation of Democratic leadership in Washington to work with President Obama and create jobs. Cal Cunningham is that kind of leader.

Please join me, retired General Wes Clark. Vote for Cal Cunningham on Tuesday. To learn more, you can go to his website: CalForNC.com. Thank you.

OPEN CARRY: North Carolina's laws are friendly to those who want to wear an unconcealed gun on their hip. (N&O)

PLACE YOUR BETS: The state Senate is expected to take up a bill tonight that would ban video sweepstakes machines that simulate video poker or slot machines. (AP)

LAST CHANCE: Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and former state Senator Cal Cunningham have busy schedules on the last day before the Democratic primary runoff for U.S. Senate. (AP)

Democratic Senate candidate Cal Cunningham has picked up the endorsement of veteran Durham County commissioners Joe Bowser and Michael Page.

“Speaking with Cal, it is clear that he is man of character and virtue,” said Page, chairman of the commissioners board. “And he is simply the best candidate to beat (Republican Richard) Burr in the fall.”

Rob Christensen reports that the endorsements are important for Cunningham, because his rival in Tuesday's Democratic runoff, Elaine Marshall, has picked up a slew of endorsements in Durham including the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, former Senate candidate Ken Lewis and Durham Mayor Bill Bell.