PITTSBURGH — Retired electrician Dave Estadt, a registered Democrat who lives in the suburbs of this solidly Democratic city, said he grew more certain in recent days about voting for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump — but he is not there yet.
Voters such as Mr. Estadt are helping Mr. Trump significantly cut into Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton’s poll lead in the crucial Keystone State.
He also is the type of voter with whom Mr. Trump will be trying to close the deal in the first presidential debate Monday.
“I don’t agree with everything he says, but I don’t agree with anything Hillary says,” said Mr. Estadt, 64. “She’ll be a continuation of Obama. I think he’s been an absolutely horrible president.”
Like many other voters this year, Mr. Estadt called it a choice for the “lesser of two evils.”
“I don’t agree with everything he says, but I don’t agree with anything Hillary says,” said Mr. Estadt, 64. “She’ll be a continuation of Obama. I think he’s been an absolutely horrible president.”
Like many other voters this year, Mr. Estadt called it a choice for the “lesser of two evils.”
The race has tightened in Pennsylvania, and both candidates have poured resources into the state, which is the linchpin of Mr. Trump’s bid to build support among blue-collar voters to carve a path through the Rust Belt to the White House.
A win in Pennsylvania, with its 20 electoral votes, would be the most likely way for Mr. Trump to cobble together the 270 needed to win the presidency. Conversely, it’s the most likely place for Mrs. Clinton to stop him.
Mrs. Clinton’s lead in Pennsylvania shrank to 3 points, 44 percent to 41 percent, in Muhlenberg College/Morning Call poll released Sunday, a 6-point drop form her lead a week ago.