New Wason Poll Shows Harris Leads Trump By 11 Points Among Virginia Likely Voters

NEWPORT NEWS

The Wason Center for Civic Leadership at Christopher Newport University on Monday (October 7) released its first statewide survey for the elections on November 5th. 

The survey indicates that Democrat Kamala Harris holds an 11-point lead over Republican Donald Trump, with support at 52 percent to Trump’s 41 percent. In the U.S. Senate race, incumbent Democrat Tim Kaine leads Republican Hung Cao by 20 points, securing 55 percent to 35 percent. Key issues shaping voter sentiment include inflation, threats to democracy, and abortion.

Summary of Key Findings:

• Democrat Kamala Harris leads Republican Donald Trump by 11 points, 52 percent to 41 percent among Virginia likely voters; 4 percent remain undecided, while 3 percent say they will vote for someone else.

• Harris’ lead over Trump is built on an advantage among women (+20), Independents (+15), Black voters (+54) and college educated voters (+20); Trump receives support from Republican voters (94 percent), with a very narrow lead among white voters (48 percent to 47 percent).

• In the U.S. Senate race, Democrat Tim Kaine leads Republican Hung Cao by 20 points among Virginia likely voters, 55 percent to 35 percent; 8 percent say they are undecided and 2 percent say they will vote for someone else.

• Top of mind issues for Virginia likely voters include inflation and the economy (29 percent), threats to democracy (18 percent), immigration (11 percent), and abortion (10 percent).

• Virginia likely voters say Harris would do a better job than Trump handling an array of policy issues with a narrow lead on inflation and the economy (49 percent to 48 percent), a moderate advantage on threats to democracy (54 percent to 40 percent) and a large advantage on abortion (60 percent to 32 percent), racial inequality (61 percent to 31 percent) and climate change (61 percent to 29 percent); Trump has a narrow advantage over Harris on handling immigration (49 percent to 48 percent).

The Wason Center, located at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, has a 10-year track record of providing citizens and lawmakers unbiased, non-partisan insight into the policy issues shaping the future of the commonwealth. More than 100 students work side-by-side with talented faculty to produce survey research and political analysis that informs decisions by citizens and lawmakers in Virginia, and increasingly around the country.