Trump cements lead over Biden in Virginia

Former President Donald Trump has solidified his lead in Virginia, with a second poll in three days out Thursday showing him up over President Joe Biden.

The new Emerson College Polling-Hill survey has Trump at 45% and Biden at 43%.

It follows a Virginia Commonwealth University survey earlier this week that gave Trump a lead of 39% to 36%.

“In a state Biden won by 10 points in 2020, the president is now essentially tied with Trump,” said Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling.

The change in Virginia, a state Republicans last won in 2004 when former President George W. Bush was running for reelection, might help to explain why Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) was seated next to Trump at the GOP convention in Milwaukee last night.

Youngkin was eyed as a possible Trump running mate and is fast becoming a key ally of the Trump campaign. The former president chose Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) as his No. 2.

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In the new survey, Trump’s lead increases to 5 points if third-party candidates such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are included.

With Virginia in play, the paths to victory for Biden appear to be closing, though it is good to remember there are still over three months to Election Day.