Washington (CNN) -- First-term Democratic incumbent North Carolina Sen. Kay Hagan lost in a tight contest against GOP challenger Thom Tillis, according to a CNN projection. 

It was the most expensive Senate race this cycle: A great deal of the funding was provided by out-of-state organizations backing harsh television attack ads. 

The neck-and-neck race was key to Republicans' plans to win back the Senate from Democrats. With 99% of precincts reporting their vote totals, Tillis had 49 % to Hagan's 47%. 

Tillis is known for his conservative stances on issues like same-sex marriage and women's abortion rights. He worked to nationalize the race by tying Hagan to President Obama, who suffers from high disapproval ratings in the Tar Heel state even though he -- along with Hagan -- were victorious there in 2008. 

Tillis made national news in late October when he debated an empty chair on live television after his opponent refused to attend what was initially billed as a debate between the two candidates. 

Hagan launched aggressive attacks on Tillis' tenure in the state legislature, highlighting how his legislature cut unemployment benefits, slashed funding for education and prohibited the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. She also worked to bolster her own appeal with racial minorities by pointing out Tillis' enactment of a strict voter identification law. 

Neither candidate has enjoyed much popularity in the state according to an NBC News/Marist poll from last week showing Hagan's disapproval rating at 48 percent and Tillis' at 44 percent. 
Did Kay Hagan win her race?
Who was her opponent?
Was it a tight election?
Was it an inexpensive campaign?
Who gave most of the funds?
What kind of advertising did they pay for?
Was the election important to one of the parties?
Which party?
Why was it important to them?
At the time of this story, how many districts had reported back?
What percent of the vote did Tillis get?
And his rival?
Is Tillis considered liberal?
What issues is he known for right-wing views on?
Anything else?
What political figure did he try to tie his rival to?
Is Obama popular in North Carolina?
What did Tillis make headlines for?
Why did he do that?
What organization reported on the election?
Has Hagan served multiple terms?
No.
 Kay Hagan lost
Thom Tillis.
Thom Tillis
Yes.
a tight contest 
No.
the most expensive Senate race
Out-of-state organizations.
out-of-state organizations
Attack ads.
attack ads.
Yes.
 race was key to Republicans' plans
Republicans.
race was key to Republicans' plans
To win back the Senate from Democrats.
 to win back the Senate from Democrats
99%.
99% of precincts reporting
49 %.
49 %
47%.
47%. 
No.
Tillis is known for his conservative stances
Same-sex marriage.
same-sex marriage
Women's abortion rights.
women's abortion rights
Obama.
 tying Hagan to President Obama
No.
Obama, who suffers from high disapproval ratings in the Tar Heel state
When he debated an empty chair on live television.
 when he debated an empty chair on live television
His opponent refused to attend.
his opponent refused to attend 
CNN.
according to a CNN projection
No.
First-term Democratic incumbent North Carolina Sen. Kay Hagan 