WASHINGTON: Former Republican President Donald Trump holds an advantage over Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris regarding who would better navigate the country through the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, according to a Wall Street Journal opinion poll conducted in seven battleground states.
The poll, published on Friday, revealed that Harris and Trump are tied in overall support across these key states that could determine the outcome of the November presidential election.
Harris has a slight 2-percentage-point lead in Arizona, Georgia, and Michigan, while Trump is ahead by 6 points in Nevada and 1 point in Pennsylvania.
The two candidates are tied in North Carolina and Wisconsin. The survey, which polled 600 registered voters in each state from September 28 to October 8, has a margin of error of 4 percentage points.
These closely contested results mirror other polls indicating a tight race ahead of the November 5 election, as voters express concerns about the economy, immigration, women’s rights, and democratic values when choosing between the two candidates. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll also found Trump and Harris in a close national race, with Harris slightly leading 46 percent to 43 percent.
Polling voters in swing states is crucial, as the Electoral College’s state-by-state results will ultimately determine the winner. Harris could secure a narrow majority in the Electoral College if she wins the states where she leads in the WSJ poll.
The WSJ poll indicates that Trump leads Harris 50 percent to 39 percent in terms of who is perceived as better equipped to handle Russia’s war in Ukraine. He also holds a 48 percent to 33 percent advantage over Harris regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict.
While more voters expressed support for Trump on issues like the economy and immigration, Harris was favored for her approach to housing, health care, and demonstrating care for the needs of everyday people, according to the poll findings.
