GOP Senate candidate escapes NC legislative session

North Carolina GOP lawmakers reached a budget deal over the weekend after weeks of wrangling, allowing North Carolina Assembly Speaker Thom Tillis (R) to return to the Senate campaign trail full-time.

{mosads}Legislators had warred for much longer than expected over the budget, which Republican strategists say has hurt Tillis in his race against Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) by keeping him from campaigning.

Still, polls indicate a small lead for Hagan in the race, meaning Tillis has time to close the gap.

And Tillis helped push through an increase in North Carolina teacher salaries, something that Democrats have slammed him for failing to do in the past in a state where teacher pay is far below the national average. The 7 percent average increase could weaken a Democratic line of attack against Tillis in the race.

Tillis and the head of state Senate tweeted on Saturday that they’d reached an agreement, and the final plan is expected to be approved this week.