Santorum, Romney tied in new NC GOP poll

RALEIGH, NC (WECT) – New polling numbers show Republican races in North Carolina going in opposite directions.

Public Policy Polling surveyed more than  560 Republican voters between March 22-25, and found former Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory's lead in the gubernatorial race widening. 64% of likely voters now say McCrory is their choice, up from 57% a month ago.  Jim Mahan at 3%, Jim Harney and Charles Kenneth Moss at 2%, Scott Jones at 1%, and Paul Wright with less than 1% round out the field.

The Republican race for President in North Carolina has tightened in the past two weeks. Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney tied at 30%. Newt Gingrich is 3rd at 19% with Ron Paul bringing up the rear at 13%. Two weeks ago Romney had a four point lead over Santorum in the state. Romney's support has remained pretty steady since then, but Santorum's grown from 27% to 30%. Santorum's support has increased as Gingrich's has declined from 24% to 19%. If Gingrich dropped out of the race Santorum would open up a 6 point lead in North Carolina with 43% to 37% for Romney and 13% for Paul.

In the field running for Lieutenant Governor, Raleigh businessman Dan Forest leads with 11%, followed by Rep. Dale Folwell at 10%, and Wake County Commissioner Tony Gurley at 9% are 5 points clear of Grey Mills at 4% and Arthur Jason Rich at 2%.

Click here to see more information on the poll.

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