Poll: Thompson Gaining Support Among State Voters

Raleigh, N.C. — A recent poll suggests a prospective Republican presidential candidate would make a strong showing in North Carolina.

According to the latest Public Policy Polling (PPP) survey, Fred Thompson would place second in the Republican primary race with 25 percent of likely Republican voters. The former Tennessee senator has not yet announced whether he will run for president.

It was the first time PPP included Thompson in the monthly primary tracking poll. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani would be first among potential Republican voters with 32 percent, followed by John McCain at 16 percent and Mitt Romney with 13 percent.

Presidential nominee John Edwards still remains on top with likely Democratic primary voters with 33 percent of the vote. Hillary Clinton ranks second at 27 percent with Barack Obama third at 20 percent.

In the Democratic gubernatorial race, Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue leads state Treasurer Richard Moore 35 percent to 29 percent. According to the poll, 36 percent of likely voters remained undecided.

On the Republican side, 57 percent of likely voters in the gubernatorial race remained undecided. According to the poll, Bill Graham would garner 21 percent of the vote, followed by 13 percent for Bob Orr and 9 percent for Fred Smith.