Democratic state Sen. Kay Hagan is running a television ad touting her endorsments and credentials in her campaign for U.S. Senate against Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole.

What the ad says: Announcer: "Major newspapers across the state are endorsing Kay Hagan for U.S. Senate. Calling Hagan a bundle of brains and energy. A businesswoman, mother of three, Kay's ranked one of North Carolina's 10 most effective senators with a moderate and business-friendly record.

"Her priorities include fiscal responsibility, investing in education, health care reform and new energy development.

"Kay Hagan. Exactly the change our economy needs."

Hagan: "I'm Kay Hagan and I approve this message."

The ad features shots of Hagan engaged in various conversations and activities and includes text showing the sources for the ads' claims.

The background: The ad quotes heavily from unsigned newspaper editorials endorsing Hagan. The Winston-Salem Journal called her a "bundle of brains and energy."

After law school, Hagan went to work for Nations Bank where she was a vice president. In 1988, after 10 years, she left the company and was elected to the state senate.

Hagan has three adult children.

The N.C. Center for Public Policy Research, a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank, ranked Hagan as the seventh most effective state senator in 2007. She has ranked in the top 10 since 2003.

Hagan lives in Greensboro. An unsigned editorial in the Greensboro News & Record said "Hagan's record has been moderate and business-friendly." The editorial went on to say that her priorities are "fiscal responsibility, investing in effective education policies, health care reform, new energy development and what she calls a 'whole list of pocketbook issues.'"

Is it accurate? Mostly. Hagan has been endorsed by at least 10 newspapers in North Carolina. The last corporate experience she had was 20 years ago, so it's a stretch to call her a businesswoman.

Update: Post has been updated to add more endorsements. 

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is running a television ad that says Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole is out of touch and ineffective.

What the ad says: Announcer: "She’s part of the Washington mess. Elizabeth Dole voted with George Bush 92 percent. No wonder Elizabeth Dole’s ranked 93rd in effectiveness.

"She’s simply out of touch. Two years ago, records show she spent just 13 days in North Carolina. The year before, only 20 days. Papers call Dole an 'absentee senator,' 'ineffective,' a 'disappointment.'

"Elizabeth Dole. Just not getting the job done.

"The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is responsible for the content of this advertising."

The ad flashes text echoing the announcer's claims and photographs of Dole, including a shot of her with President Bush.

The background: Washington-based news service Congressional Quarterly compiles yearly figures for how often senators vote with the stated position of the president. The 92 percent figure comes from an average of the yearly scores for Dole, though Congressional Quarterly researchers says that method is inaccurate. Based on its overall score through August, they say the correct figure for Dole is 88 percent. The effectiveness ranking comes from an annual study conducted by the data service Knowlegis. It ranked Dole 93 in the Senate for 2008. The ranking is based on analysis of criteria including news articles, bills, amendments, committee and caucus positions, campaign contributions and earmarks, according to Knowlegis.

The claim about her visits to the state is based on a story by The Winston-Salem Journal that analyzed tax paid travel records, news releases and media coverage. Dole said the paper didn't count all the times she's been to the state at her own expense and that the story punished her for paying her own way to North Carolina.

The quotes from newspapers were taken from unsigned editorials in The Asheville Citizen-Times and The Charlotte Observer that endorsed state Sen. Kay Hagan, the Democratic nominee.

Is it accurate? Not entirely. The methodology for calculating Dole's voting record is inaccurate. Using Senate records to track her visits to the state would not include times she paid her own way.