"The Republican strength at the top of the ticket looks to be making the other statewide offices more competitive than usual this year as well," writes pollster Tom Jensen in an e-mail. 

 

In the race for governor, Republican Pat McCrory leads Democratic nominee Walter Dalton 46 to 32 among independents. McCrory also enjoys a 7-point lead overall. The poll shows 45 percent support for McCrory, 38 percent support for Dalton, and 7 percent support for Libertarian candidate Barbara Howe.

The race for Lieutenant Governor is effectively tied, according to PPP, with Republican Dan Forest leading Democrat Linda Coleman 38 percent to 37 percent.

 

While PPP reports that Democrats lead the generic legislative ballot by a 44 percent to 43 percent margin, the Republican drawn election maps make it unlikely that Democrats will be able to retake either chamber of the legislature.

 

"It's looking like a pretty good year for the GOP on the state level in North Carolina," wrote Jensen.