New poll says Trump could hurt Sen. Richard Burr's chances in race

The first general election poll from Public Policy Polling shows how Donald Trump could make it harder for other Republican candidates on the ballot this fall, including Senator Richard Burr.

According to the liberal-leaning polling agency, Richard Burr holds just a 5 point lead over Democratic candidate Deborah Ross at 40 percent to 35 percent. Libertarian candidate Sean Hill is polling at 7 percent.

Looking back, PPP says former Senator Elizabeth Dole led Kay Hagan by 5 points in the agency's first general election poll in 2008. Hagan went on to win the race.

Currently, PPP reports Burr has only a 32 percent of voters approving of the job he's doing compared to 40 percent who disapprove. Ross is an unknown with 56 percent having no opinion about her one way or the other.

Burr has indicated that he will support the Republican nominee for President regardless of who it is. PPP says they found voters are less likely to vote for Burr by a 26 point spread if he supports Trump. Doing that would make 48 percent of voters less likely to vote for Burr compared to 22 percent who would be more likely.

Other Republicans are also contributing to some of Burr's potential trouble. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConell has a 15 percent approval rating from voters in North Carolina compared to 51 percent who disapprove.

As for the Presidential race, Republican candidate John Kasich is the only hopeful in either party with a favorability among voters - 36 percent positive to 31 percent negative. In hypothetical contests, he leads Hillary Clinton 49/41 and Bernie Sanders 44/41. His lead over Clinton among independents is 59/26.

Nationally, Donald Trump and Ted Cruz trail both Democratic candidates by small margins.

For the North Carolina Governor's race, the poll says it's very tight. Pat McCrory leaders Roy Cooper 43 to 40 percent. Libertarian Lon Cecil has 6 percent. McCrory continues to be unpopular, with only 40 percent approving opposed to 49 percent disapproving. For Cooper, 39 percent of voters have no opinion of him one way or another.