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RALEIGH — The Democrats running for U.S. Senate honed their positions during the last debate before the second primary, offering little by way of new policies or sharp criticism of one another.

Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and former state Sen. Cal Cunningham appeared on Raleigh news station WNCN and stations across the state Tuesday. Both hope to take on Republican incumbent Richard Burr in the fall election.

Cunningham once again tried to emphasize he was “the new guy, a fresh face, a person who hasn’t been in office for many, many years.” Meanwhile, Marshall offered up her bona fides as an experienced regulator, saying, “What this race is really about is fixing a broken system in Washington.”

As has been the case throughout the campaign, both Democrats agreed on a number of issues. Both, for example, oppose drilling off North Carolina’s coast. And the pair also decried Arizona’s immigration law that would require police officers to request proof of citizenship from anyone they suspect may be here illegally.

Marshall said she backed President Barack Obama’s move to send National Guard troops to the border, saying that the country had to halt illegal immigration before addressing those already here.

“We need to create a pathway to citizenship without any amnesty,” she said. When asked to explain that notion later in the debate, Marshall said that those here illegally “need to move to the back of the line” but not necessarily be deported.

Cunningham called Arizona’s law “wrongheaded” and said that Congress should take action on immigration reform.

“Congress needs to get tough on employers abusing the system,” Cunningham said. He too said that “we can’t deport everybody.”

Cunningham, who has picked up a number of union endorsements, stopped short of embracing a proposal floated earlier this year that would have overridden North Carolina state law and required governments to collectively bargain with public safety employees.

Saying he backed a measure that would require governments to “confer” with their employees, he added, “It needs to make sure that it preserves North Carolina’s unique right-to-work laws.”

And although he supports the Employee Free Choice Act, Cunningham said he doesn’t support the broadest form of a “card check” provision to allow workers to unionize by collecting signature cards versus the secret ballot required now.

“I support the card check compromise, which will preserve the role of elections,” Cunningham said.

Although not asked directly Tuesday night, Marshall has said in prior interviews that she supports the card check provision.

Marshall was asked whether it was appropriate for unions to get involved in North Carolina elections directly, as in one congressional district where they are hoping to field their own third-party candidate.

“They certainly are free to exercise their rights under the law,” Marshall said. “They’ve made it very clear that they’re unhappy with certain votes that have been taken, so I would support their efforts to exercise their rights. I’m not sure they achieved their goals.”

Both candidates were asked about parts of their campaign fundraising: Marshall regarding donations from lobbyists she regulates and Cunningham on support he has gotten from national Democrats.

“I am offended that folks think I can be bought and sold with lobbyist contributions,” Marshall said.

Cunningham embraced backing from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

“They are committed as I am committed to replacing Richard Burr,” he said. “I accepted this money because I am committed to winning this race.”

Contact Mark Binker at (919) 832-5549 or mark.binker@news-record.com