How badly is Donald Trump harming the Republican Party which nominated him? So much that now even the deep red state of Kentucky–home state of Senate Majority Mitch McConnell–is now a toss up and Trump’s lead has shrunk to within the margin of error.
A new LEX 18 poll out of the Bluegrass State shows that Trump has lost significant ground in the past couple of weeks. The GOP nominee has gone from a lead of 35%-23% to a lead of 31%-28%. 29% of voters said they were still undecided. Even more surprising is that Hillary Clinton’s increase in support of 5 points is larger than Trump’s loss of support, which fell by four percent.
The Kentucky poll also reflects what is being seen across the country in both national and swing state polls. Here’s a breakdown of what the race looks like with two and half weeks remaining:
- The latest RealClear Politics average has Clinton holding a 6.3 point lead nationally.
- Florida: Clinton has a 4 point advantage in the Sunshine State.
- Ohio: One poll shows Clinton with a 9 point lead over Trump in the Buckeye State, which is considered a bellwether for any national election.
- Pennsylvania: Clinton has a 6.2 point edge over Trump.
And in other historically red states, Clinton is also surging, putting even more states in play as the Democratic nominee seeks to far exceed the 270 electoral votes needed to win the White House:
- Arizona: This has become a new focus for the Clinton camp, as they shift money and resources to the state. Clinton holds a narrow 1.5 percent lead
- Georgia: A deadlocked race in a state not won by a Democratic presidential candidate since 1992.
- Texas: This should be a lock for any Republican, but Trump holds only a 5 point lead, which is unheard of.
Trump is toxic to the entire GOP, and it will be interesting to see if his candidacy winds up destroying the entire party before he’s finished. For now, red states are turning blue all over the map.
Featured Image Via YouTube Screengrab
