Raleigh, N.C. — State Sen. Kay Hagan begins the general election campaign for U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole's seat virtually tied with the incumbent, according to the latest WRAL News poll.

Hagan, a Democrat from Greensboro, drew support of 48 percent of the 500 likely voters surveyed, and Dole, a Republican, garnered 47 percent.

A month ago, Dole led Hagan by 13 points in a hypothetical match up.

Voters reported they had good impressions of both candidates: Dole had a 56-percent and Hagan, a 53-percent favorable rating.

The difference in both measures is within the polls +/- 4 percentage points margin of error.

Dole appeared to be strongest on the immigration issue, while Hagan scored well with survey participants on the economy and war in Iraq.

Eighty-five percent of those who identified immigration as the most important issue said they would vote for Dole. Fifty-nine percent of those who picked the economy and 56 percent of those who chose the war in Iraq indicated support for Hagan.

Likely voters were asked to identify what they thought was the most important issue among those three.

The two female candidates split the women's vote, with Hagan claiming 48 percent and Dole 45 percent. Hagan led among voters under 50, while Dole leads among older voters.

Both candidates drew the overwhelming support of voters from their respective parties, but Dole led by nine points among unaffiliated voters.

Rasmussen Reports conducted the poll for WRAL News. Pollsters surveyed 500 likely voters by phone on May 8.