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• According to a new poll by High Point University, Republican Gov. Pat McCrory may be the most popular statewide elected official in North Carolina. The survey of 421 adults found McCrory with an approval rating of 47 percent, compared with President Obama at 43 percent, outgoing U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan at 36 percent, and incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Richard Burr at 29 percent. McCrory’s and Burr’s approval ratings were higher than their disapproval marks (47-37 and 29-28, respectively), with 43 percent offering no opinion of Burr. The survey did not ask about Republican Sen.-elect Thom Tillis.

• It’s official (not the election results but the decision): Supreme Court candidate Mike Robinson, a Republican challenging incumbent Justice Cheri Beasley, and Tom Bradshaw, the Democratic candidate opposing Republican Johnny Mac Alexander for the open seat in Senate District 15, have requested a recount of the ballots in their respective races. By law, the recount must be concluded by next Tuesday. And in Currituck County, Democratic Sheriff Susan Johnson and Republican challenger Billy Long have a recount in their election scheduled Thursday.

• Two consultants for the Tillis campaign pen a guest column for The Hill newspaper explaining the Cornelius Republican’s victory against incumbent Hagan.

• U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield, D-1st District, is in line to become the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus in January when Congress opens its new session.