Poll: Trump tied with Biden in Arizona

President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE is in a dead heat in Arizona in a head-to-head 2020 match-up with former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE, according to a poll by the left-leaning Public Policy Polling.

Forty-six percent of respondents to the survey said they would vote for Biden in the match-up and 46 percent said that they would vote for Trump. Eight percent of those surveyed said they were “not sure.”

Biden finished best in a head-to-head match-up among the top four Democratic contenders.

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Trump beat Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.) 47 percent to 46 percent; Sen. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names MORE (D-Mass.) 47 percent to 45 percent and former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete ButtigiegPete ButtigiegScaled-back Pride Month poses challenges for fundraising, outreach Biden hopes to pick VP by Aug. 1 It’s as if a Trump operative infiltrated the Democratic primary process MORE 47 percent 44 percent.

Arizona last voted for a Democrat in a presidential election in 1996 when former President Clinton won the state. It has voted for the Republican candidate in 16 of the last 17 presidential elections.

None-the-less, the state, which has 11 electoral college votes, is viewed as a battleground state as the population increases and demographics have changed. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) took office in 2019, becoming the first Democratic senator from the state since 1995. 

The poll comes as Democrats’ electability has become a central theme in the primary.

A Gallup poll in November showed that a majority of those who identify as Democrats thought that a candidate who can beat Trump is more important than a candidate who shares the same values as them. 

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Biden has taken a moderate approach to the primary, targeting centrists and independents, while progressive heavyweights like Sanders and Warren have tried to appeal more to the Democratic base.

The Public Policy Polling survey also showed Sen. Martha McSallyMartha Elizabeth McSallyGOP senators introduce resolution opposing calls to defund the police No evidence of unauthorized data transfers by top Chinese drone manufacturer: study Senate Democratic campaign arm launches online hub ahead of November MORE (R-Ariz.) trailing Mark Kelly, a former astronaut running as a Democrat for the Arizona Senate seat McSally filled following the death of Sen. John McCainJohn Sidney McCainThe Hill’s Campaign Report: Bad polling data is piling up for Trump Cindy McCain ‘disappointed’ McGrath used image of John McCain in ad attacking McConnell Report that Bush won’t support Trump reelection ‘completely made up,’ spokesman says MORE (R-Ariz.).

The Arizona primary is scheduled for March 17.

The PPP poll was a survey of 760 Arizona voters conducted Jan. 2-4.