Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The race for the White House has become closer now that Kamala Harris is the presumptive Democratic candidate. That's according to the newest Siena Research Poll released Thursday.
"It’s a new election. Vice President Kamala Harris now trails former President Donald Trump by 1 point in a two-way national race when three weeks ago, Trump led by six over President Joe Biden," said Don Levy, SCRI’s Director. "This poll taken immediately after Biden dropped out of the race shows Harris opening up a 21-point lead among young voters, previously a Biden weakness while Trump grabs a 5-point advantage among older voters, a group that Biden had led by three."
However, Levy says when Siena puts the other candidates in the race, including Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, Jill Stein and Cornel West, the one point advantage flips.
"Harris leads Trump right now by a single point," said Levy with WBEN.
Levy says the poll finds Trump got a bump from the Republican convention and the assassination attempt.
"We've seen Donald Trump's favorability ratings enhanced, and he actually has the highest favorability rating right now, at virtually 50/50," Levy said.
At the same time, he says Harris has energized the Democratic base.
"Overwhelmingly Democrats feel as though it was the right decision for Joe Biden to drop out of the race. And clearly they are rallying to Harris's support," Levy added.
Levy says next up will be going into the battleground states to see how the race is shaping up.