Polls in NC GOV race starting to skew left

For the longest time, polling of the gubernatorial race in NC has been showing Republican Mark Robinson either tied or ahead of Democrat Josh Stein.  Polling throughout this month has the Democrat Stein leading anywhere from five points to fourteen points.  And we’ve got 75 days to go until Election Day.

High Point University — in partnership with SurveyUSA — released a poll today of registered voters showing Stein leading Robinson  48% to 34 percent.  The same poll has Democrat Kamala Harris leading Donald Trump in the state by one percent — 46 to 45.  (High Point’s last poll on the governor’s race — three months ago — had Robinson leading Stein 39 to 34 percent. )

The NY Times / Siena poll released last Saturday had Stein with a ten-point lead — 49 to 39 percent. 

An August 16 poll by the Cook Political Report and BSG had Stein with a seven point lead — 43% to 36 percent.  In May, Cook Political Report had the race tied. 

An August 15 poll sponsored by The Telegraph showed Stein with a six point lead — 45% to 39 percent. 

A Carolina Journal / Sygnal Poll released on August 9 had Stein with a five point lead — 43 to 38 percent.

Just to compare, Dan Forest (R) lost to Roy Cooper (D) in 2020 by a margin of 51.5 % to 47 percent.  Emerson’s October 14 poll was the closest to the actual final margin in that race.  Emerson last polled the 2024 gubernatorial race on April 30.  That survey had Robinson ahead 42% to 41 percent.

Polling tends to get a lot more accurate as we get closer to the voting.  Pollsters are interested in getting hired for future election cycles.  A lot of bragging rights among pollsters are at stake as well.

There is one significant thing to worry about here in North Carolina for Republicans if this polling trend is accurately telling the story of the gubernatorial race.  If a sense arises that Stein is comfortably ahead, the Democrats and other liberal groups can free up money they had earmarked for Stein and re-route it to down-ballot Democrats.