Dole 45, Hagan 43

North Carolina's U.S. Senate race is starting off much more competitive than many people had thought.

Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole has a 45-43 percent lead over her Democratic opponent, state Sen. Kay Hagan, according to a new poll by released by the conservative Civitas Institute, Rob Christensen reports.

"The national tide against Republican incumbents is definitely hurting Senator Dole right now," said Francis DeLuca, the group's executive director. "It appears some of the crossover appeal to Democrats and unaffiliated voters she enjoyed six years ago is eroding."

Hagan is competitive because she is leading Dole among unaffiliated voters, young voters, and voters in the Triangle, according to the poll.

The live survey of 800 registered voters was conducted May 14-17 by TelOpinion Research of Alexandria, Virginia. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7 percent.