North Carolinians still disagree with House Bill 2 and nearly every statewide race is expected to come down to extremely narrow margins come November.

Those are the findings of the latest Public Policy Polling survey of North Carolinians.

The polling service found 35 percent of voters support HB2, compared to 44 percent who oppose the controversial legislation.

PPP director Tom Jensen wrote summarizing the results that the reason 50 percent of residents in the Tar Heel state want the law repealed was “pretty straightforward.”

Jensen wrote, “they think it’s hurting the state both economically and in terms of national reputation. Overall only 29 percent of voters believe HB2 is helping North Carolina, to 56 percent who think it’s hurting.”

The results add that 36 percent of respondents said they felt HB2 made North Carolina safer, compared with 47 percent who do not believe that it has.

The legislation has prompted dueling lawsuits in federal court between the state and the United States Department of Justice.

HB2 is sure to be a major part of the campaign trail as well ahead of the November elections. North Carolina will be a battleground state for the Presidential election, but eyes across the nation will be focusing in on what are shaping up to be some of the premiere statewide races as well.

PPP found a dead heat in the race for Governor between Democratic challenger Attorney General Roy Cooper and Republican incumbent Pat McCrory, with both polling at 41 percent. Jensen describes this race as “the premiere Governor’s race this fall.”

The race for the Governor’s mansion isn’t the only one locked in a battle. Democrat Linda Coleman and Republican incumbent Dan Forest are tied at 36 percent for Lieutenant Governor. Democrat Josh Stein has a one-point lead over Republican Buck Newton in the race for Attorney General, a position Cooper is vacating after holding that role since 2000.

Even the Treasurer’s race is tied with Democrat Dan Blue III and Republican Dale Folwell each receiving support from 39 percent of those surveyed.

Tom Jensen spoke Thursday with WCHL’s Aaron Keck.

 

You can see the full results of the survey here.