(RALEIGH) -- The surge of former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum in Iowa has carried into North Carolina, according to a new Public Policy Polling survey. Spokesman Tom Jensen said Santorum is now tied with President Obama in a hypothetical race in North Carolina, while Mitt Romney trails the President by one point.

"One thing that has sort of been a constant in our polling over the last year in North Carolina is that Mitt Romney has always been the most electable of the Republican candidates but Rick Santorum is now actually challenging him for that designation in the state," said Jensen.

He added that conservative Democrats are more inclined to vote for Santorum because he provides a clearer contrast on social issues than Obama.