Nickel and Hines tied in high stakes congressional race

Voters are divided in North Carolina’s 13th Congressional district (NC-13), according to a new Civitas Poll. The congressional race between Republican Bo Hines and Democrat Wiley Nickel is the most high-profile in the state. In this special poll of NC-13 voters, results uncover a statistical tie between the candidates.  

When voters were asked who they intend to vote for, Hines received 43% support from respondents, while Nickel received 44% support. The data show Nickel performing better with women and young voters and Hines performing better with men and middle-aged voters. 

“While polling shows Republicans surging nationally and across North Carolina, the race for the 13th District is neck-and-neck,” said John Locke Foundation President Donald Bryson. “This newly drawn district is incredibly nuanced, going from urban to suburban to rural rapidly. There is no single message that will appeal to the entire district, and both of these candidates are relative political newcomers. This race may go to the wire.” 

When NC-13 voters were asked about the most important issue in this year’s election, 48% responded “inflation” or “the economy” (19% and 29%, respectively), and 19% responded “abortion.” Voters who are most concerned about inflation or the economy are more likely to vote for Hines, while those most concerned with abortion are more likely to vote for Nickel. 

The majority of voters in NC-13 (51%) disapprove of the job Joe Biden is doing as president. However, opinions of former President Donald Trump are even less favorable in the district than opinions of Biden, with 54% of respondents stating they had an unfavorable view of the former president. Opinions of Hines are more polarized than opinions of Nickel. More voters have an unfavorable opinion of Hines (37%) than a favorable (30%) or neutral/undecided (33%) opinion. On the other hand, more voters are neutral or undecided (45%) about Nickel than are favorable (29%) or are unfavorable (27%) toward him.