Early poll puts Cooper 6 points ahead in NC race
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That’s one of several takeaways from a recent Emerson College Polling survey, which asked residents across North Carolina how they feel about today’s most pressing issues.
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ToggleWhen asked about the most important issue facing the U.S., the economy (including jobs, inflation, and taxes) topped the list, with 38% of respondents pointing to it as their biggest worry.
Second? Threats to democracy at 19%, followed by immigration at 10% and healthcare at 10%. Issues like crime at 8%, housing affordability at 4%, and abortion access at 1.5% ranked lower.
A striking 40% of those surveyed said they’re worse off financially than they were a year ago. Just 28% said they’re doing better, while nearly a third, at 32%, reported no change.
This dissatisfaction may also explain the skeptical views on recent policy efforts.
When asked about the controversial “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” only 30.5% said they believe it will have a positive impact on their lives. Nearly 36% felt it would hurt them, while another 23% weren’t sure what kind of effect it would have.
Just 10% felt it wouldn’t make any difference at all.
The federal response to last year’s historic and devastating Hurricane Helene didn’t exactly win high marks. A majority gave it lukewarm or poor ratings:
Opinions on President Donald Trump’s deportation policy were sharply divided.
North Carolina voters slightly favored Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris:
The poll reached a broad range of voters across gender, age, and educational lines from 1,000 people across the State of North Carolina:
Education:
Emerson College Polling, widely respected for its nonpartisan, scientific methods, continues to track how public attitudes shift over time, especially in key swing states like North Carolina.
With 2026 midterms on the horizon and economic anxiety still high, these insights could help shape how politicians campaign and how voters decide what matters most.
North Carolina Elections
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