A new poll gives us insight into why GOP power brokers in North Carolina are so dead set against nominating Tim D’Annunzio in the 8th Congressional District.
The left-leaning Public Policy Polling firm found that Harold Johnson is neck and neck with Democratic incumbent Larry Kissell, while Kissell maintains a commanding lead over D’Annunzio.
Larry Kissell could have a tough fight for reelection this fall but only if Harold Johnson wins next week’s Republican runoff to be his general election opponent. Kissell leads Johnson just 41-35 in a hypothetical contest, while his advantage expands to 48-26 in a match up against Tim D’Annunzio.
The various controversies that have cropped up around D’Annunzio over the last six weeks have been devastating for his poll numbers. 39% of voters say their opinion of him has become more negative over the last month while just 10% say they now hold more positive feelings about him. Overall 38% have an unfavorable opinion of him now compared to just 19% with a favorable one. And only 25% think he’s fit to hold public office while 41% think he is not.
Kissell’s seen a steep decline in his approval numbers since PPP last polled the district in January. Then he was at a positive 45/30 spread, now he’s at a negative 30/39 spread. The decline has come across partisan lines but has been most dramatic with Democrats.
