Raleigh— The latest Civitas poll finds that North Carolina likely voters have a much more favorable opinion of Republican Governor Pat McCrory than of Democrat Attorney General Roy Cooper.

The poll found that 51 percent of likely voters in our state have a favorable opinion of McCrory, while just 32 percent have a favorable view of Cooper.

In a governor’s race head-to-head match up, McCrory maintains his lead over Cooper— 45 percent to 40 percent. Three percent prefer Libertarian Lon Cecil.

“Governor McCrory has consistently led Cooper in head to head match ups in our polls,” Civitas President Francis De Luca said. “The only exception was at the height of the negative media coverage over HB2, when McCrory took a hit. His net favorable numbers have been consistently positive among likely voters, and they continue to climb as the North Carolina economy strengthens.”

The text of the actual questions is below:

Now I am going to read you a list of people active in politics or in the news. After I read each name, please tell me if you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of that person. If you never heard of them, just tell me and we’ll go on to the next one…the (first/next) one is… (RANDOMIZE)

TOTAL TOTAL VERY SMWT SMWT VERY HRD OF/ NEVER

FAV UNFAV FAV FAV UNFAV UNFAV NO OPIN HRD OF

Pat McCrory

6/16 51% 40% 25% 26% 12% 28% 6% 2%

5/16 48% 44% 27% 21% 10% 34% 7% 1%

4/16 39% 49% 17% 22% 14% 35% 9% 3%

Roy Cooper

6/16 32% 25% 13% 19% 10% 16% 24% 19%

5/16 36% 23% 16% 20% 9% 14% 21% 20%

4/16 35% 20% 15% 20% 10% 11% 20% 25%

If the election for Governor were being held today and you had to make a choice, for whom would you vote?

4/16 5/16 6/16

36% 45% 45% Pat McCrory, the Republican,

46% 40% 40% Roy Cooper, the Democrat,

5% 3% 3% …or Lon Cecil, the Libertarian?

12% 11% 10% Lean/Undecided

30% 39% 38% DEFINITELY MCCRORY

7% 7% 7% PROBABLY MCCRORY

2% 2% 1% LEAN MCCRORY

38% 34% 34% DEFINITELY COOPER

8% 6% 6% PROBABLY COOPER

2% 1% 1% LEAN COOPER

4% 1% 1% DEFINITELY CECIL

1% 2% 2% PROBABLY CECIL

* 1% 1% LEAN CECIL

9% 8% 7% HARD UNDECIDED

— * * NAMED OTHER

1% * 1% REFUSED (DNR)

Cross tabs can be found here.

The poll surveyed 600 registered, likely voters (30% on cell phones) with a margin of error of +/- 4.00%. This survey was taken June 21-23, 2016.

Civitas conducts the only regular live-caller voting in North Carolina, and we are the only organization offering independent, nonpartisan data on current opinion. In the decade we’ve been conducting them, our polls have provided vital insights on what North Carolina voters truly think of the leaders and issues facing the state and nation. Civitas President Francis De Luca will be available for interviews at or after the luncheon.

To arrange an interview, email Demi Dowdy at demi.dowdy@nccivitas.org or call 919.747.8064.

Founded in 2005, the Civitas Institute is a Raleigh, NC-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit policy organization committed to creating a North Carolina whose citizens enjoy liberty and prosperity derived from limited government, personal responsibility and civic engagement. To that end, Civitas develops and advocates for conservative policy solutions to improve the lives of all North Carolinians.