Dispatches from the campaign trail, October 2, 2014

• Incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan ups the ante by restating the claim (questioned or discredited by researchers and fact-checkers) that Republican challenger Thom Tillis oversaw $500 million cut in education spending. Previously, the charge had been used only in ads by independent groups.

• U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., a likely 2016 presidential candidate, campaigned Wednesday for Tillis and 3rd District Rep. Walter Jones Jr.

• The most recent Civitas Flash Poll places incumbent Republican Rep. Renee Ellmers ahead of Democratic challenger Clay Aiken, 47-38 among 400 registered voters in the 2nd District. Both candidates have slightly negative net approval ratings.

• At an event in Wilkesboro (your humble correspondent’s home town), Supreme Court candidate and Appeals Court Judge Sam J. (Jimmy) Ervin IV criticizes what he sees as the increasing influence of politics on judicial elections.