Donald Trump is leading Hillary Clinton by 6 percent in Texas, according to a new Public Policy Polling survey, with the Republican nominee holding a lead based on a 30-point advantage among senior citizens.
Head-to-head, Trump is leading by 50-44 percent, the new poll shows. With third-party candidates added in:
- Trump: 44-38 percent over Clinton;
- Libertarian Gary Johnson, 6 percent;
- Green Party's Jill Stein: 2 percent;
- Independent Evan McMullin: Less than half a percent.
The poll shows that while a Democratic win may be out of reach this year in Texas, Trump's lead is based on a 63-33 percent advantage with seniors. But with voters under 65, Clinton leads by 49-45 percent, and with voters under 45, Clinton leads 60-35 percent, so the poll determined that generational change could help Democrats become more competitive.
Rick Tyler, former campaign spokesman for Sen. Ted Cruz' presidential bid, said Wednesday morning that the results may already mean a shift is in place in Texas.
"It's shocking to me Hillary Clinton is within six points in Texas," Tyler told MSNBC's "Morning Joe" program. "Texas is a Republican state through-and-through."
Trump needs Texas' nine Electoral College votes, Tyler continued.
According to the new PPP poll, race is playing a big part in Texas as well:
- White voters: Trump, 69-25 percent;
- Non-white voters: Clinton, 73-21 percent;
- Hispanic voters: Clinton, 68-27 percent.
Clinton and Trump both marked negative favorability ratings, with Clinton at 36-59 percent compared to Trump at 40-53 percent
In addition, 64 percent believe Trump should release his tax returns, including Trump's supporters, by a 43-41 percent spread.
Trump's supporters in Texas also believe, by 71-19 percent, that if Clinton wins, it means the election was rigged.
PPP surveyed 944 likely voters from August 12-14, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 percent. The poll's full results are listed here.
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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