WASHINGTON — US Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris holds a narrow 2-point lead over her Republican challenger, former President Donald Trump, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released on Thursday.

The survey found that Harris has the support of 49% of likely voters, compared to 47% who back Trump. Green Party candidate Jill Stein and Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver each received 1% of the vote.

“Conventions done, debates in the planning, rhetoric getting rougher. There's a slight numerical difference, but it is essentially a tie as the presidential race roars toward November 5th,” said Quinnipiac University polling analyst Tim Malloy.

The poll, the first of likely voters from Quinnipiac during the current election cycle, shows strong partisan support, with 98% of Democrats backing Harris and 94% of Republicans supporting Trump.

Significant gender divides were also evident, with 58% of women supporting Harris and 57% of men favoring Trump.

Regarding former Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s endorsement of Trump after suspending his own campaign, 64% of likely voters said it did not change their view of Trump, 19% viewed Trump more favorably, and 15% viewed him less favorably.

“RFK Jr. -- his own presidential prospects in a nosedive -- bounces to Donald Trump's camp. But is he an asset or a liability? Independents, so critical to the outcome of the race, aren't exactly swayed by him to change their views about Trump,” Malloy added. — Agencies