Donald Trump has grabbed a 2-point lead over Hillary Clinton in Nevada, according to a poll released Wednesday that showed a shift in Mr. Trump’s direction since July.
Mr. Trump had a 2-point, 44 percent to 42 percent lead over Mrs. Clinton in Nevada, according to the Monmouth University poll of likely voters conducted Sunday through Tuesday.
In a Monmouth poll taken in July, before the Democratic and Republican conventions, Mrs. Clinton had held a 4-point, 45 percent to 41 percent over Mr. Trump.
“The race in Nevada is still tight, but the momentum has swung toward Trump,” said Patrick Murray, director of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute.
In the new poll, 8 percent said they plan to vote for Libertarian Party nominee Gary Johnson and 3 percent said they will choose “none of these candidates” - which is an option on the state’s ballot. Green Party nominee Jill Stein is not on the ballot in the state.
Both Mr. Trump and Mrs. Clinton had the support of about 90 percent of their respective parties, but Mr. Trump now has a 14-point edge over Mrs. Clinton among independents after leading her by 2 points in July.
Mr. Trump’s favorability actually declined since July, while Mrs. Clinton’s held steady.
Thirty percent of Nevada voters reported a favorable opinion of Mr. Trump, compared to 55 percent who reported an unfavorable one. That’s down from a 35 percent/53 percent favorable/unfavorable split from July.
Mrs. Clinton, meanwhile, had a 34 percent/54 percent favorable/unfavorable split in both surveys.
President Obama carried Nevada twice, as did former President George W. Bush, a Republican, and former President Clinton, a Democrat.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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