A recent Roanoke College poll reveals a tight race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump among likely Virginia voters. Conducted before this week’s Democratic National Convention, the survey shows Harris with a narrow lead of 47% compared to Trump’s 44%. However, this margin falls within the poll’s margin of error of ±4.5 percentage points, reported the Washington Post.
When additional candidates are considered, Harris maintains a slim three-point advantage over Trump, leading 45% to 42%.An additional 13% of voters express support for other candidates, including 6% for Robert F Kennedy Jr and 2% for Cornel West.
Harry Wilson, a senior political analyst for the Institute for Policy and Opinion Research, noted that the transition from President Joe Biden to Harris has had an impact, but not as significant as anticipated. Previously, Biden was in a similar position against Trump, with a marginal lead in May before his exit from the race.
In the Senate race, Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine holds a commanding lead, receiving 49% support against Republican challenger Hung Cao’s 38%. Kaine’s strong performance contrasts with the broader dissatisfaction reflected in the poll, reported the Washington Post.
Republicans, led by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, argue that Virginia remains a competitive battleground, despite Trump’s previous losses in the state by five points in 2016 and ten points in 2020. Nationally, Harris holds a slight edge over Trump, an improvement over Biden’s performance.
President Biden’s approval ratings in Virginia remain low, with only 37% of voters viewing him favorably and 61% unfavorably. Harris fares somewhat better, though she remains a net negative, with 43% favorable and 53% unfavorable. Trump’s ratings are between the two, with 40% favorable and 57% unfavorable.
Both parties’ vice-presidential candidates also face negative ratings, with Democratic Gov. Tim Walz at 34% favorable and 51% unfavorable, and GOP Sen. JD Vance at 32% favorable and 55% unfavorable. In contrast, Kaine enjoys a favorable rating of 50%, while Youngkin scores 54% favorable with high job approval.
The poll indicates a polarized electorate, with 51% of voters viewing Trump as a “threat to democracy” and 47% expressing similar concerns about the process leading to Harris’s nomination. Dissatisfaction is also noted regarding Walz and Vance, reflecting a broader sense of discontent.
Wilson emphasized the ongoing polarization between party lines, with diminishing third-party support potentially influencing the election outcome. The survey, conducted from August 12 to August 16, included 691 likely voters, with data collected through phone calls, text messages, and an online panel.
When additional candidates are considered, Harris maintains a slim three-point advantage over Trump, leading 45% to 42%.An additional 13% of voters express support for other candidates, including 6% for Robert F Kennedy Jr and 2% for Cornel West.
Harry Wilson, a senior political analyst for the Institute for Policy and Opinion Research, noted that the transition from President Joe Biden to Harris has had an impact, but not as significant as anticipated. Previously, Biden was in a similar position against Trump, with a marginal lead in May before his exit from the race.
In the Senate race, Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine holds a commanding lead, receiving 49% support against Republican challenger Hung Cao’s 38%. Kaine’s strong performance contrasts with the broader dissatisfaction reflected in the poll, reported the Washington Post.
Republicans, led by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, argue that Virginia remains a competitive battleground, despite Trump’s previous losses in the state by five points in 2016 and ten points in 2020. Nationally, Harris holds a slight edge over Trump, an improvement over Biden’s performance.
President Biden’s approval ratings in Virginia remain low, with only 37% of voters viewing him favorably and 61% unfavorably. Harris fares somewhat better, though she remains a net negative, with 43% favorable and 53% unfavorable. Trump’s ratings are between the two, with 40% favorable and 57% unfavorable.
Both parties’ vice-presidential candidates also face negative ratings, with Democratic Gov. Tim Walz at 34% favorable and 51% unfavorable, and GOP Sen. JD Vance at 32% favorable and 55% unfavorable. In contrast, Kaine enjoys a favorable rating of 50%, while Youngkin scores 54% favorable with high job approval.
The poll indicates a polarized electorate, with 51% of voters viewing Trump as a “threat to democracy” and 47% expressing similar concerns about the process leading to Harris’s nomination. Dissatisfaction is also noted regarding Walz and Vance, reflecting a broader sense of discontent.
Wilson emphasized the ongoing polarization between party lines, with diminishing third-party support potentially influencing the election outcome. The survey, conducted from August 12 to August 16, included 691 likely voters, with data collected through phone calls, text messages, and an online panel.
Source : Times of India
