North Carolina Senators Deeply Unpopular in their Home State; Broad Support in North Carolina for Coronavirus Aid Policies

A new Public Policy Polling survey finds both of North Carolina’s Senators deeply unpopular in their home state. Senator Thom Tillis, facing a re-election fight in 2020, is underwater on approval among North Carolinians by 19 points (43–24), while just 22% of voters approve of Senator Richard Burr’s job performance, and 48% disapprove. A majority (83%) have very serious concerns or somewhat serious concerns about Senator Burr selling $1.7 million in personal stock after receiving classified intelligence briefings about the impacts of the coronavirus.

While North Carolinians overall are divided on President Trump’s job performance, with 49% disapproving and 47% approving, he is underwater in approval by 11 points among key independent voters (51–40). Additionally, North Carolinians (48–45) say they trust Joe Biden more than Donald Trump to handle the coronavirus pandemic.

In the wake of the coronavirus crisis, the survey finds broad support for response proposals:

· 79% think, once developed, the coronavirus vaccine should be free for everyone.

· 66% think Congress should allocate more funding to the US Postal Service to prevent its collapse during the coronavirus crisis. Only 21% disagree.

59% think families who need food stamps should be given extra during the coronavirus crisis, while just 28% oppose it.

There have also been a number of policy proposals in Congress aimed at alleviating the economic and health impacts of the coronavirus. Several of these proposals are popular among North Carolinians.

· 80% support the Essential Workers Bill of Rights that would recognize the critical contributions of essential workers during the crisis, including health and safety protections.

· 79% support expanding Medicaid to help those who have lost their jobs and health insurance during the coronavirus pandemic.

· 74% support the Paycheck Guarantee Act, aimed at preventing further layoffs and incentivizing rehiring of workers.

· 68% think President Trump should invoke the Defense Production Act to force private companies to provide additional needed personal protective equipment for healthcare workers. Just 18% oppose this.

· 54% support expanding Vote-by-Mail options in November, while only 36% oppose this.

Public Policy Polling surveyed 1,187 North Carolina voters from April 23–24, 2020. The margin of error is +/- 2.8%. 50% of interviews for the survey were conducted by telephone and 50% by text message.