Poll: Trump ‘law and order’ message falls flat in suburbs

President Trump’s “law and order” message is not sticking with suburban voters, according to a poll released Wednesday as both he and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden strive to make inroads in that voting bloc less than two months from the November election. 

A Reuters-Ipsos poll conducted Sept. 11-15 found that only 11 percent of suburban white voters said the most important factor driving their support is a candidate being “tough on crime” and civil unrest.

The president has repeatedly sought this year to highlight civil unrest in predominantly Democratic cities following several police shootings and subsequent protests. 

Meanwhile, 27 percent of suburban white voters said a candidate’s plan to tackle the coronavirus pandemic was the most important factor in winning their support, followed by 25 percent who said they wanted someone who would “restore trust in American government.”

Another 19 percent said they wanted a president who would produce a stronger economy and jobs.

The poll also found that Biden has a 9-point lead nationwide. Half of likely voters polled said they were casting their ballots for Biden, while 41 percent said they were voting for Trump and another 3 percent said they would support a third-party candidate. The rest were undecided.

The poll was conducted online, in English, throughout the U.S. and collected responses from 1,358 adults, including 859 likely voters. The poll reported a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.