Harris vs. Trump: Latest poll numbers in critical battleground state

A new poll of battleground North Carolina shows Kamala Harris and Donald Trump neck and neck with a slight edge to the Democratic hopeful.

Harris leads Trump 46%-45%, according to the Elon University Poll . Trump narrowly carried the state against Joe Biden in 2020 by a margin of 1.34%.

The poll comes as GOP pundits have warned the state's GOP nominee for governor, Mark Robinson , could drag Republicans down over multiple controversies and a CNN report about his alleged posts on a pornography website's message board.

Robinson trails his Democratic challenger, Josh Stein, by double digits — 49% to 35%, according to the survey.

Robinson has denied writing the posts, which include lewd and racist comments, saying Thursday that he wouldn't be forced out of the race by "salacious tabloid lies." Trump's campaign has appeared to distance itself from Robinson in the wake of the CNN reporting, saying in a statement that Trump "is focused on winning the White House and saving this country" and calling North Carolina "a vital part of that plan," without mentioning Robinson.

Democrats have seized on the opportunity to highlight Trump's ties to Robinson, with billboards showing the two together, as well as a new ad from Harris' campaign highlighting the Republican candidates' ties as well as Robinson's support for a statewide abortion ban without exceptions. According to Harris' campaign, it's their first ad effort related to tying Trump to a down-ballot race.

The gubernatorial contest has been North Carolina's marquee down-ballot race this year. Robinson has become a natural top surrogate for Trump in the state and a frequent presence at campaign events there, appearing with the nominee as recently as an event last month in Asheboro. Trump has long praised Robinson, who is Black, referring to him as "Martin Luther King on steroids."

Stories by Matt Arco

Harris gets stunning endorsement from group that normally backs Trump

Trump's last-minute bid to mess with electoral college appears in jeopardy

J.D. Vance's latest pet-eating lies bring Springfield, Ohio mayor close to tears