(RALEIGH) -- Gov. Beverly Perdue's approval numbers have matched a 2-year high. Tom Jensen of Public Policy Polling said a renewed feistiness to fight Republicans and veto their bills has helped her cause.

"One of the reason Democrats have been so disappointed with Perdue over the course of her tenure, they just don't think she's been bold enough, that she hasn't been a strong enough fighter for Democratic causes and her willingness to veto so many Republican bills over the last month I think is causing Democrats warm up to her a little bit," said Jensen.

Thirty-five-percent of state residents say they like the job Perdue is doing, matching her numbers from April 2009. However, she still behind by double-figures in a hypothetical 2012 race against possible Republican candidate Pat McCrory, who lost to Perdue in 2008.