• A new ad from Republican U.S. Senate nominee Thom Tillis challenges incumbent Democrat Kay Hagan’s support of President Obama’s policy toward the Islamic State.

http://youtu.be/nLTHt3NRJDg

• Libertarian U.S. Senate candidate Sean Haugh will join Hagan and Tillis Thursday at a debate in Wilmington. Hagan and Tillis face off Tuesday night in a separate debate.

• The latest New York Times polling survey of all the competitive Senate races gives a tiny shift in the direction of Democrats but still leaves Republicans with a clearer path to taking partisan control of the chamber. Not surprisingly, the North Carolina contest is one that could push the GOP into the majority.

• Left-leaning Washington Post blogger Chris Cilizza says Obama is doing Hagan and other Democrats in close races no favors.

• Today’s the day: The first and only broadcast television debate featuring Republican Rep. Renee Ellmers and her 2nd Congressional District Democratic rival, Clay Aiken. Look for a full report tomorrow at Carolina Journal Online.

• At least a dozen candidates for state judicial races will participate in a forum Wednesday night in Raleigh sponsored by the Junior League. In addition, all 19 candidates for the appeals court seat vacated by retiring Judge John Martin have been invited.