Helms versus Hunt — again?

A quarter of a century after the two giants of Tar Heel politics faced each other, voters have a better view of Democrat Jim Hunt than they do Republican Jesse Helms.

That is according to a new poll by Public Policy Polling, which asked Tar Heel voters their opinion of Helms and Hunt.

Hunt was viewed favorably by 43 percent of those polled compared to 37 percent who had a favorable view of Helms, reports Rob Christensen.

Helms and Hunt dominated state politics during the latter part of the 20th century. Helms, a conservative icon, was elected to five terms in the U.S. Senate. He died last year.

Hunt was a four-term governor, who remains very active in public affairs.

The two clashed in the 1984 Senate race — a bitter, marathon election which at the time was the most expensive Senate contest in American history. Helms, riding on a national Republican tide, defeated Hunt by a 52-48 percent margin.

More after the jump

-----

Helms actually has a slightly better legacy among native North Carolinians. He leads Hunt in favorables by a 42-41 percent margin. But among people who were born outside the state, Hunt had a 45-31 percent lead, according to the polls.

Hunt was thought of more highly among liberals, moderates, women, urban and suburban voters and among African-Americans. Conservatives, whites, men and rural voters favored Helms.

The survey of 1,020 North Carolina voters from Feb. 13 to 15th had a margin of error of plus or mnus three percentage points.