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RALEIGH — Political races are heating up and getting intense as we head into the Labor Day weekend.

Polls are starting to predict leaders and the rhetoric is getting harsher much earlier than anticipated. The state Republican and Democratic parties and campaigns for Congress to the state house have all kicked into high gear.

The Elaine Marshall campaign sent out a press release saying Richard Burr's TV ad was a fairy tale. Burr immediately responded with a story of his own. This back and forth negative campaigning is not just limited to the candidates, according to political analyst David McLenan, and often involves other types of organizations.

“It's nasty because there are a lot of players in the game, its not just the candidates, there are a lot of outside organizations, advocacy groups,” said McLennan.

The negative campaigning goes down to the state level as well. Real Jobs NC, a conservative leaning advocacy group is campaigning against several incumbent house members. Flyers were mailed out in several districts, but campaigns are concerned because they said some of the information is misleading or incorrect.

“This is just a sign about what politics is all about now. This is a nasty world,” said McLennan.

Its the polling numbers candidates are so concerned about. The latest survey by the liberal leaning Public Policy Polling showed an eight point advantage for Republicans if voters headed to the polls today.

“Republicans have almost a 30 point lead with independents right now,” said Tom Jensen with Public Policy Polling. “And we never see independents going that strongly to one party.”

With just nine weeks until voters head to the polls, the tense fight for victory is expected to get even more intense.