Republican incumbent Tedd Budd and Democratic challenger Kathy Manning are in a . Budd won in 2016 with no prior political experience, and Manning is in the same position this year. Budd owns a gun store and shooting range in Advance, North Carolina, while Manning has spent her career in law and philanthropy.
The race is drawing significant outside attention and money. According to , a project of the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, more than $3.5M in outside spending has poured into the race.
Host Frank Stasio speaks with about her interviews with the two candidates and what analysts are saying about the race.
