Former President Donald Trump appears to be gaining traction against incumbent President Joe Biden in Minnesota, according to a recent survey conducted by McLaughlin & Associates. The poll, which was announced on Friday and conducted between June 9-11, 2024, showcases Trump leading Biden in the typically blue state of Minnesota.
The survey, which polled 600 likely voters in the state, revealed that Trump held a four-point lead over Biden when including third-party candidates such as independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr., independent Cornel West, Green Party candidate Jill Stein, and Libertarian Party candidate Chase Oliver. In this scenario, Trump garnered 41% support, with Biden securing 37. The remaining third-party candidates received less than 5% of the vote, while a substantial 11% remained undecided.
When Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is removed from the equation, Trump’s lead expands to a five-point gap, with Trump receiving 44% support and Biden earning 39. In a head-to-head matchup without third-party candidates, Trump led by two points — 47% to Biden’s 45. The pollster concluded that “Donald Trump has a big opportunity to flip Minnesota and collect 10 electoral votes.
During an interview with Breitbart News at his Mar-a-Lago resort, Trump explained that he plans to make a heavy play for several traditionally blue states during the election cycle. These include New York, New Jersey, Virginia, New Mexico, and Minnesota. The former president is expected to hold rallies and give speeches in these states, working hard to gain their support.
Minnesota has not voted red in a presidential election since 1972 when Republican Richard Nixon secured a landslide victory over Democrat George McGovern. In the 2016 election, Trump narrowly lost the state by just 1.5. This recent survey is one of several that indicate a tight race between Trump and Biden in Minnesota. A KSTP/Survey released in May showed Trump trailing Biden by only two points, while a previous McLaughlin & Associates survey in May had Trump leading Biden by three points in the state.
Trump’s potential victory in Minnesota would be monumental, as it has not voted for a Republican presidential candidate in decades. The state has been solidly blue since 1972 when Richard Nixon won the election. Nonetheless, Trump’s strong showing in this latest poll suggests that he may be gaining ground in the historically Democratic-leaning state.