A new poll shows Donald Trump climbing in Virginia, which last elected a Republican President in 2004. A Roanoke College survey revealed that Mr. Trump was level with President Biden at 42%, and analysts say he could tip the Old Dominion red in November. When third-party candidates were included in the Roanoke poll, Trump took a 2% lead. Some commentators noted that the result suggests Trump has a greater chance of winning Virginia than Biden has of winning Florida.
Several surveys have also found that the former President’s recent criminal conviction in New York City has increased his support. A poll initiated immediately after the guilty verdict, which ran for two days, revealed that the verdict would not sway 56% of Republicans, while 35% were more enthusiastic about backing Trump. Most said they believed the prosecution was politically motivated and unjust.
Additionally, however, 25% of independents said the conviction made them less likely to back the former President, 18% were more likely, and 56% said it made no difference.
In swing states, reactions to the New York result were mixed. Several voters in Wisconsin, for instance, said they were shocked by the jury’s verdict and some suggested that Trump should no longer be permitted to run for President.
Voters questioned in Pennsylvania expressed similar surprise, but many said the result would not impact their voting intentions. Jeff Sperrazza, an independent from Pittsburgh, told reporters he believes upcoming debates will have much more impact on voting intention than the court’s guilty verdict. He added that both men had spent a full term in the White House, and therefore, voters had a good idea of how they would perform as President.
Former Nikki Haley supporter Gilbert Jacobs, an ex-US Army officer, said the criminal conviction would inevitably damage trust in Donald Trump and reinforce some voters’ concerns about his overall temperament. He said he will face a “difficult dilemma” when he reaches the polling station.
