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TIGHT RACE FOR U.S. SENATE
Poll respondents indicated a different level of support for the
candidates in the state’s U.S. Senate race between incumbent Republican
Sen. Elizabeth Dole, who is running for a second term, and state Sen.
Kay Hagan. Forty-eight percent of respondents indicated dissatisfaction
with Dole, a jump of 22 percentage points from the previous Elon Poll
in April.
Fifty-one percent of respondents said it is time for a new person to
have a chance to represent North Carolina in the Senate. The race for
the seat appears to be a dead heat, with each of the parties receiving
support from 35 percent of respondents.
The poll, conducted Sept. 15-18, 2008, by the Elon University Institute
for Politics and Public Affairs, surveyed 411 North Carolina residents.
The poll has a margin of error of 4.9 percent. The sample is of the
population in general and does not restrict respondents by their voter
eligibility or likelihood of voting in an election. The sample was
comprised of both landlines and cellular phones.
GOVERNOR’S RACE REMAINS CLOSE
The gubernatorial contest remains tight, with 37 percent of respondents
supporting the Republican Party and 35 percent pledging their votes to
the Democratic Party.
Public opinion for gubernatorial candidates Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue, the
Democratic nominee, and Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, the Republican
nominee, was consistent between the opponents. While 34 percent of
respondents disapproved of each candidate, each of them also received a
37 percent approval rating.
“At this time, it appears that the three major races in North Carolina
are going to come down to the wire,” said Hunter Bacot, director of the
Elon University Poll. “While the public has not made a final
determination among the candidates, nearly everyone can agree that the
economy is the major issue in these upcoming contests.”
Eighty-one percent of respondents believe that the country is heading
in the wrong direction. The most cited issues that will affect votes
included the following:
Economy: 92 percent
Health care: 86 percent
Iraq war: 84 percent
Taxes: 83 percent
The top issues facing North Carolina were identified to be:
Economy: 47 percent
Energy & Gas Prices: 11 percent
Elementary & Secondary Education: 10 percent