Poll suggests that Coble starts with big lead in 13th

Former Raleigh Mayor Paul Coble has a large lead in the GOP primary for the 13th congressional district seat, according to an internal poll  his campaign has released.

The survey shows him leading former U.S. Attorney George Holding by a 42 to 18 percent margin, with 40 percent undecided.

In a three-way primary race, Coble has the support of 32 percent, with Bill Randall at 13 percent, and Holding at 12.5 percent and 42 percent undecided.

Coble has been on the ballot for numerous times, having served on the Raleigh City Council, mayor, and the Wake County board of commissioners, where he is now chairman.

Randall was the GOP nominee for the 13th district last year, losing to Democratic incumbent Brad Miller.

This is Holding's first run for political office, and he has been trying to increase his visibility by running a TV advertising campaign.

McLaughlin & Associates surveyed 400 likely Republican primary voters in the 13th district from Sept. 12-13th.

UPDATE:  Carter Wrenn, an advisor to Holding, dismissed the poll. “A politician taking a poll to make himself look good is one of the oldest political tricks in the book. If you believe Paul Coble's poll, I've got a bridge in Brooklyn I'd like to sell you."