Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump leads Sen. Ted Cruz by 9 points in Pennsylvania — one of a handful of states that votes on April 26 — according to a poll released Wednesday.
Mr. Trump was at 39 percent support among likely GOP primary voters in the Quinnipiac poll, followed by Mr. Cruz at 30 percent and Ohio Gov. John Kasich at 24 percent.
On the Democratic side, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had a 6-point, 50 percent to 44 percent lead, over Sen. Bernard Sanders of Vermont.
Both Mr. Cruz and Mr. Sanders picked up double-digit wins in Wisconsin on Tuesday.
In general election match-ups in Pennsylvania, Mr. Kasich and Mr. Sanders were the strongest for their respective parties in the poll.
Mr. Kasich led Mrs. Clinton by 16 points, 51 percent to 35 percent, and he led Mr. Sanders by 6 points, 46 percent to 40 percent.
Mrs. Clinton led Mr. Trump by 3 points, 45 percent to 42 percent, while Mr. Sanders led Mr. Trump by 8 points, 48 percent to 40 percent.
Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Cruz were tied at 43 percent apiece, while Mr. Sanders led Mr. Cruz by 8 points, 46 percent to 38 percent.
“Can you be mired in third place among Pennsylvania Republicans and still be your party’s best bet come Election Day? Welcome to Gov. John Kasich’s world, where the big prize is tantalizingly close, but blocked by two candidates with the same goal,” said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.
Mr. Kasich also had the best net favorability rating of the five remaining candidates, with a 49 percent/17 percent favorable/unfavorable split. Mr. Sanders had a 49 percent/37 percent split.
Mr. Trump had a negative 32 percent/60 percent favorable/unfavorable split, Mrs. Clinton had a 35 percent/59 percent split, and Mr. Cruz had a 32 percent/50 percent split.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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