Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are both at 44 percent. | AP Photo Poll: Clinton, Trump tied in North Carolina

Donald Trump pulled even with Hillary Clinton in the critical battleground state of North Carolina in the days leading up to news that federal investigators were looking into new evidence uncovered in Clinton’s email controversy, according to a new poll released Tuesday.

The Elon University poll, which was conducted last Sunday through Thursday, shows Trump and Clinton tied at 44 percent, including likely voters leaning toward one of the candidates. Libertarian Gary Johnson was at 4 percent, 2 percent prefer another candidate, and a combined 7 percent were undecided or refused to answer.

News leaked Friday, the day after the poll concluded, that FBI Director James Comey had informed Congress that his agency was again investigating Clinton’s use of a private email server while secretary of state, despite announcing in July that the bureau was recommending no charges be filed against the Democratic presidential nominee.

The Elon poll also shows close races down-ballot. Including likely voters leaning toward a candidate, incumbent Republican Sen. Richard Burr had a slight advantage over Democratic challenger Deborah Ross, 45 percent to 42 percent. Eight percent of likely voters were undecided or refused to answer, and 4 percent were backing the Libertarian candidate.

The closely watched gubernatorial race was deadlocked between Democratic state Attorney General Roy Cooper and incumbent Republican Gov. Pat McCrory at 46 percent each.

The poll surveyed 710 likely voters and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7 percentage points.

