New Elon poll shows Clinton, Cooper ahead in NC

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Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Hillary Clinton at campaign event
Hillary Clinton at campaign event
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ELON, N.C. (WTVD) -- A new poll from Elon University shows Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and Democrat Roy Cooper, who's running for governor, ahead in the latest findings. This is a change from two weeks ago when Republican nominee Donald Trump was in a virtual tie with Clinton and Gov. Pat McCrory was ahead in the poll.

According to the Elon poll, Clinton holds a 6-point lead in North Carolina. Elon reported that nearly two-thirds of likely voters said that Clinton won the first presidential debate. Clinton leads Trump 44.5 to 39 percent, with Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson polling at 9 percent.

"We are seeing an unusually strong post-debate bump for Clinton in North Carolina," said Jason Husser, assistant professor of political science and the director of the Elon University Poll. "A majority of N.C. voters thought Clinton won the debate, but future campaign events will determine if this bump is only temporary or more lasting."

Roy Cooper leads Pat McCrory 48 to 44 percent in the poll. Two weeks ago, McCrory had an almost 3 point lead.

Elon says the swing in the poll is from criticism over HB2 and recent sporting events moving from North Carolina, citing the controversial bill.

Read more from the poll here.