With only five days until the Republican National Convention, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton holds a substantial lead over Donald Trump in Pennsylvania, while the two are tied in Ohio, according to a new poll.
According to the new NBC/WSJ/Marist poll, Clinton’s 45 percent support tops Trump’s 36 percent in Pennsylvania, a 9-point margin in a state Trump has made a cornerstone of his electoral chances. Additionally, the two are tied in Ohio with 39 percent each, while Clinton holds a 3-point lead in Iowa, leading with 42 percent to Trump’s 39 percent.
The poll was taken from July 5-10, and the margin of error is +/- 3.4 percent.
Earlier in the day, the latest Quinnipiac poll showed Trump to be leading in Pennsylvania by 2 points (43-41 percent), while the two are also tied in Ohio (41-41). The poll also shows Trump leading Clinton in Florida by a 3-point margin (42-39).
Pennsylvania has become a key state for Trump’s chances in November, as the real estate mogul has made multiple trips to the state since becoming the GOP’s presumptive nominee in November. The latest one took place in late June in Monessen, a small town in Western Pennsylvania, where he delivered a speech on trade.
The poll numbers come as Trump finishes up his vice presidential selection process and a possible announcement coming any day. Earlier Wednesday, Trump and some of his family members met with Indiana Gov. Mike Pence. He is also reportedly set to meet with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions as well.
Overall, Clinton leads in both Pennsylvania and Ohio by less than 2 percentage points, according to the latest RealClearPolitics average.
