Real-estate mogul Donald Trump has been the "top choice" for the Republican nomination in North Carolina, the latest survey from a left-leaning polling body revealed on Wednesday.
The Public Policy Polling (PPP) reported that Trump received the support of 16 percent of Great Old Party (GOP) primary voters in the Tar Heel State with former Florida Governor John Ellis "Jeb" Bush trailing behind with 12 percent.
"PPP's newest North Carolina poll finds that Donald Trump's momentum just keeps on building," PPP said in a post it published on its website, revealing that Scott Walker also got 12 percent while Mike Huckabee had 11 percent.
The latest survey also showed that both retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio got 9 percent, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, 7 percent; Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, 6 percent; New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, 5 percent; former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, 4 percent; and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, 2 percent.
It said South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, Louisiana, Governor Bobby Jindal, and Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum each got 1 percent support while Ohio Gov. John Kasich and former New York Governor George Pataki both had the backing of less than 1 percent of the GOP primary voters in North Carolina.
"Trump's favourability rating in North Carolina is 55/32, much higher than we were finding in national polls prior to his entry into the race," PPP said, noting that Trump has caught fire among voters on the far right.
It explained that 66 percent of the "very conservative" voters see him favourably as he polled 29 percent among younger voters and 20 percent among older men compared to only 24 percent of voters who have a negative view of him.
The poll seemed to boost Trump's confidence as he continues to refuse issuing an apology to Mexicans despite continuing to receive financial backlash over the racist remarks he made against Mexican migrant workers during his campaign kick off last month.
Trump insisted there is nothing to apologise for since he only raised legitimate issues concerning national security, particularly border control.
In fact, the reality TV star is convinced he can win the Latino vote for the Republican Party should he get the Republican nomination for the US presidential election, citing his record for job creation.
"I have a great relationship with the Mexican people. I have many people working for me—look at the job in Washington—I have many legal immigrants working with me and many of them come from Mexico," Trump said, according to NBC News.
"They love me, I love them. And I'll tell you something: If I get the nomination, I'll win the Latino vote," he added.
