Poll: Burr leads Etheridge by 7, Marshall by 11

Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-N.C.) would start a race with Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) down 41-34, according to a new Public Policy Polling survey.

The Democratic-leaning firm also polled a few other Democrats, including Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, who opened an exploratory committee this week and trails 42-31.

Former Lt. Gov. Dennis Wicker, who is considering the race, trailed by the same margin. Another potential opponent, state Sen. Cal Cunningham, was behind 42-30.

Marshall and some lesser known Democrats are so far the only candidates in the race.

Burr retains a solid lead, but his approval rating remains low at 38 percent positive and 32 percent negative.

Most of his opponents aren’t very well known, and being under 45 percent against all of them isn’t a great position to be in. But the national environment seems to be helping Burr now, as he has turned a 41-38 generic ballot deficit into a 45-38 lead over the last three months.