The event featured a keynote address from Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and remarks from former Gov. Roy Cooper, the Democratic candidate in North Carolina's closely watched U.S. Senate race against former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley.
Speaking to attendees, Warren underscored the national attention on North Carolina's Senate contest.
"North Carolina, the rest of the country is counting on you," Warren said.
The state Democratic Party held the dinner to build support and fundraising momentum as both parties look to North Carolina as a critical battleground in the fight for control of the U.S. Senate.
"We will win this Senate seat, we will make stuff cost less for hardworking families, and we will build a stronger North Carolina for everyone," said Cooper.
Warren said she encountered enthusiasm from Democratic voters while campaigning in Cary.
"We have a president who promised he would lower costs and didn't. So now the Democrats say we're going to get this done," Warren said.
Democratic leaders repeatedly emphasized affordability as a top issue for voters.
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"I think that all you're going to hear from North Carolina Democrats is talking about making sure that we're lowering costs for people across the state. It's the number one thing that I hear on the doors when I'm out knocking," said North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton.
The North Carolina Republican Party criticized the event in a statement, saying, "The North Carolina Democrat party has fully embraced the move to the radical left's socialist agenda, and tonight have brought in Elizabeth Warren to support Roy Cooper, Anita Earls and their extremist nominees in Raleigh.
Roy Cooper stands shoulder to shoulder with far-left extremists like Warren, Bernie Sanders, and Zohran Mamdani who want to let criminals out of prison, allow transgender mutilation surgeries on minors, and abolish private property. So it's no surprise Cooper is sharing the stage with Warren tonight, who he will vote with 100% of the time in Washington.
The NC Democrat Party has gone all in on the socialist policies of New York and California, North Carolinians will reject their radical agenda once again this fall and elect common sense Republicans up and down the ballot."
Outside the Raleigh Convention Center, a small group of protesters gathered ahead of the dinner to oppose Cooper's Senate bid.
SEE ALSO | Fox News poll shows Cooper with early lead in North Carolina Senate race
"We just want to let people know that we don't think that he did a good job when he was governor. And we certainly don't want him to be in the Senate," one protester said.
The Whatley campaign also criticized Cooper in a statement.
"Roy Cooper has led the charge for higher taxes, healthcare for illegal immigrants, and letting criminals run free from prison with no consequence for their actions. So, it should come as no surprise that he is embracing his fellow socialist Elizabeth Warren today in Raleigh. Cooper has not only stood side by side with these radical far-left Democrats, but led the way as they work to abolish prisons and tear down American society," said Whatley Spokesman DJ Griffin.
North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls also spoke at the dinner as she prepares for a race against Sarah Stevens for another term on the state Supreme Court.
Early voting begins in a little more than 70 days.