The new findings, conducted by the University of Mary Washington, found that 48 percent of respondents favored Harris, compared to Trump’s 46 percent

The university had conducted the survey prior to the first presidential debate between the two nominees, which was widely seen as a win for Harris

Stephen J. Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington said: ‘This new survey suggests Virginia should be getting a much closer look from both presidential campaigns.

‘Virginia may deserve to be treated as a “swing state” once again this year.

Given the range of findings in Virginia surveys over the past two months, the Harris and Trump campaigns may be paying far too little attention to the Commonwealth.

‘Virginians have a history of bouncing back and forth between the parties.’

Previous presidential results show that Biden beat Trump by 10 percentage points in the state in 2020.

Rewind four years and Hillary Clinton topped Trump in the state by five percentage points.

The state has backed Democrat presidents since Barack Obama first ran for office in 2008.

The last time a Democrat won over the state prior to Obama was Lyndon B. Johnson in the 1964 election against Barry Goldwater.

Polling conducted by DailyMail.com earlier this week in conjunction with J.L. Partners highlighted how Harris had now taken the lead over Trump.

Harris is the choice of 43 percent of voters – up two points since the last poll on August 13 – while Trump is favored by 42 percent, which is down two points.

J.L. Partners polled 1000 likely voters using landlines, mobile phones, online panels, and in-app techniques from September 11 to 16. The results carry a  3.1 percent margin of error

Trump has lost 17 points of support, wiping out his advantage among what is a crucial group in multiple key battleground states.

The shift appears to be driven by huge changes among Hispanic voters. His support among black voters has also halved, from 13 percent to 6 percent.

James Johnson, co-founder of J.L. Partners, said the debate had helped Harris with three important groups since DailyMail.com’s August poll.

‘First, Independents—she now leads Trump among them by four points,’ he said.

‘Second, 50 to 64-year-olds, where she has reduced a 16-point deficit to just a two point gap.

‘Third, Hispanic voters, who have moved sharply away from Trump in the last few weeks.

Trump was beating Harris with Hispanic voters in August, but his support has plunged since

‘It is hard to say exactly why, but with the most noticed political news story of the last month being the debate, that has to be something to do with it.’

Hispanics in particular were a key part of the coalition that propelled Biden to victory four years ago.

And Harris likely will need their votes in Pennsylvania, Nevada and Arizona to win in November.

She has enjoyed a fundraising and polling bonanza since entering the race unexpectedly in July.

However, there were signs that the honeymoon was ending as her poll boost started to flatten.

Against that backdrop she arrived at the ABC News debate with a point to prove and a plan to get under Trump’s skin. It appeared to work.

She wasted no time in mocking his rallies, triggering the former president into repeating a wild internet rumor that illegal immigrants were killing and eating pets.

At times he raised his voice and he appeared to be distracted from his own plan of turning the spotlight on Harris.

The campaign took a turn last week when police arrested Ryan Routh, 58, after he was spotted at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course in an apparent assassination attempt.