By Josh Bergeron

josh.bergeron@salisburypost.com

There’s no doubt that North Carolina’s gubernatorial race is close, but a poll released this week shows Gov. Pat McCrory leading Attorney General Roy Cooper by five points.

The poll, from conservative-leaning Civitas, shows McCrory with 45 percent of voters’ support and Cooper with 40 percent. It surveyed 600 voters from June 21 to June 23. A plurality of respondents identified as conservative in Civitas’ poll.

In the results, McCrory’s lead falls just outside the margin of error.

The poll from Civitas also included favorability numbers, which also showed McCrory with an advantage. The poll found 51 percent of likely voters in North Carolina have a favorable opinion of McCrory. Cooper had a 32 percent favorability rating, according to Civitas’ poll.

Civitas President Francis De Luca said McCrory’s numbers are climbing as North Carolina’s economy strengthens. De Luca said “negative media coverage over HB2” negatively affected McCrory’s numbers in previous polls.

The latest polling results from Civitas are relatively close to results from other polling groups. In the most recent results from left-leaning Public Policy Polling, McCrory and Cooper are tied with 41 percent each.

The Real Clear Politics average of polls for North Carolina’s race shows McCrory with a lead of less than 1 percent over Cooper.

Obama, Clinton will speak in Charlotte Tuesday

President Barack Obama and presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton will be in Charlotte on Tuesday for a campaign event.

The event will be at 3 p.m. in the Charlotte Convention Center. Doors open at 1 p.m.

A news release about the event says Obama and Clinton will discuss “building on the progress we’ve made and their vision for an America that is stronger together.”

Clinton’s visit is her second recent trip to North Carolina. She was in Raleigh on June 22.

A number of other Democrats running for office are also scheduled to attend Tuesday’s event, including: gubernatorial candidate Roy Cooper, U.S. Rep. Alma Adams and U.S. Senate candidate Deborah Ross.

Cooper releases statement on ‘Band-Aid’ state budget

As expected, Attorney General Roy Cooper has a few points of criticism on North Carolina’s recently passed budget.

The North Carolina legislature passed a $22.34 state budget last week with provisions that include teacher pay raises and income tax cuts.

Shortly after it was released, Cooper, a Democrat running or governor, called the budget “an election year Band-Aid.” Cooper said the budget doesn’t give teachers enough and hurts the middle class.

“We need a governor who will provide a real plan to help our schools, community colleges and universities and who won’t try to fool people by talking about tax cuts while sneaking in tax hikes,” Cooper said.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.