The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of North Carolina voters found Republican Pat McCrory narrowly trails two Democratic candidates in the race for Governor.

McCrory, the Mayor of Charlotte, now trails Lt. Governor Bev Perdue 45% to 42% and Richard Moore 42% to 40%. In late January, McCrory was behind Perdue by four points and Moore by five points.

Republican candidate Fred Smith has a larger disadvantage against the two Democrats. Smith trails 51% to 33% against Perdue and 45% to 34% against Moore.

While Perdue leads McCrory by thirteen points among women voters, McCrory has a ten point advantage among men. Against Moore, McCrory has a nineteen point lead among men, but trails by seventeen among women.

McCrory does hold a three-point lead over Perdue among unaffiliated voters. Against Moore, he trails by three among those voters.

McCrory is viewed favorably by 49% of North Carolina voters and unfavorably by 32%. Perdue’s numbers are 51% favorable and 34% unfavorable. Smith is viewed favorably by 42% and unfavorably by 34%. Moore earns positive feedback from 51% of voters while 26% gave him a positive rating.

Forty-three percent (43%) of North Carolina voters gave current Governor Mike Easley a good or excellent rating. Another 37% give him a fair rating, while 19% rate his job as poor.

In the state’s presidential election, John McCain enjoys leads over both potential Democratic candidates.

Rasmussen Markets data now shows the Democratic candidate is favored to win the North Carolina Governor race (current prices: Democrat % Republican %) Numbers in this paragraph are from a prediction market, not a poll. Using a trading format where traders "buy and sell" candidates, issues, and news features, the Rasmussen Markets harness competitive passions to provide a reliable leading indicator of upcoming events. We invite you to participate in the Rasmussen Markets. It costs nothing to join and add your voice to the collective wisdom of the market.

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