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RALEIGH — Sate Sen. Kay Hagan of Greensboro has been able to outspend her main opponent by a 4-to-1 margin in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary, an advantage making itself evident in poll numbers.

Hagan and Chapel Hill investment adviser Jim Neal are the two leading hopefuls for the nomination to take on Republican incumbent Elizabeth Dole this fall.

As of mid-April, Hagan reported having $317,000 on hand after spending much of the $1.5 million total she has raised since the fall on television advertising. Part of that total was a $50,000 loan to her campaign.

By contrast, Neal has $18,000 on hand after raising $250,000 from contributors since the beginning of the campaign and lending himself an additional $120,000.

The other three candidates — Duskin C. Lassiter, Howard Staley and Marcus W. Williams — have not reported fundraising or have reported numbers in the low four-figures.

"This campaign has never been about special-interest money from Day 1," said Andrew Kain, Neal’s campaign manager. "We’re confident we’ll have enough money to compete in the primary and then the general election."

Neal’s campaign has emphasized using the Internet and grass-roots support, a strategy that held him in good stead until this month.

But though Neal has not gone on television or radio, Hagan’s campaign has released ads that tout her record as a state senator.

Survey USA is one of several polling firms that have been tracking the campaign, and its numbers have been the most favorable to Neal, showing him in a dead heat for much of the past month.

But in the latest version, released six days ago, Hagan holds a lead of 38 percent to 16 percent over Neal. The three other candidates are polling in the single digits. About 34 percent of those polled were undecided.

"He (Neal) has got enough money to pay for a good party when he concedes," said Gary Pearce, a political consultant who has run statewide campaigns in North Carolina.

Pearce credits Neal as an able candidate who has put in a lot of effort but says the fundraising gap has hurt him. Hagan’s television ads, he said, have built her name recognition quickly.

"That’s what the polls are reflecting, it’s the TV," he said.

Though Hagan leads the primary money chase, she still lags behind the incumbent.

Dole reports having $3.2 million for her campaign and has only token primary opposition from Pete DiLauro.

"This is going to be a very competitive race," said Colleen Flanagan, a spokeswoman for Hagan. "We are pleased with our fundraising numbers so far."

If Hagan wins, Flanagan said, she will be able to raise enough to keep pace with Dole.

Hagan, Neal and at least two other Democratic primary candidates have agreed to participate in a debate Tuesday at UNCG’s on-campus television station.

Feeds of the debate will be available for broadcast by commercial stations.

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