(RALEIGH) -- Republican Pat McCrory still leads the polls over Democrat Lt. Gov Walter Dalton in the race for North Carolina Governor, but the latest survey from Public Policy Polling finds the race tightening. William Peace University political science professor David McLennan said this is not a surprise.

"Once the Democrats landed on their nominee you could expect that it's going to tighten up the race," said McLennan. "Walter Dalton has been campaigning ever since the announcement was made that Gov. Perdue would not run."

McLennan added that Dalton also poured most of his $1.4 million on advertising in the later part of the primary race. "That's going to have a major factor in terms his name recognition around the state and his approval right now."

McCrory still leads the polls over Democrat Dalton, but within the "margin of error," 46-to-40 percent.