In key states holding Republican primaries on Super Tuesday, immigration has emerged as the most pressing issue for voters, with the economy following closely behind, according to exit polls.
In states like North Carolina and Virginia, 43% and 37% of GOP voters, respectively, identified immigration as the primary concern facing the nation.
According to CBS News exit polls, this contrasts with 31% and 33% in the same states favoring the economy.
Former President Donald Trump’s dominance in these primaries seems to align with these sentiments, as he emphasizes his hardline stance on immigration, including his famous pledge to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Additionally, abortion and foreign policy also garnered some attention among Republican primary voters.
In North Carolina, abortion ranked as the third-most important issue, while foreign policy got 9% support.
In Virginia, both abortion and foreign policy were tied in importance, each receiving 11% support.
These trends echo findings from South Carolina’s GOP primary last month, where immigration and the economy were also key concerns among voters.
However, there were variations in other states, such as California, where the economy took precedence over immigration among GOP voters.
Overall, the heightened importance of immigration as a campaign issue is seen as benefiting Trump’s efforts to solidify support among Republican voters, drawing on the success of his 2016 presidential campaign that heavily featured promises of border security and immigration reform.
Notably, a recent Gallup poll of all voters also identified immigration as the country’s most significant issue, further underscoring its relevance in the political landscape.