In the race for the presidency, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are locked in a tight competition in two crucial states, Florida and Texas, according to a recent poll conducted by Emerson College Polling/The Hill.

The poll, released on Friday, shows both candidates running neck and neck in Florida and Texas, with the results falling within the margin of error. Trump currently holds a 5-point lead over Harris in Florida and a 4-point lead in Texas, indicating a tightening race in these key battleground states.

For Harris, winning either Florida, a state previously carried by Democrats in 2008 and 2012, or Texas, a traditionally Republican stronghold that Democrats hope to turn blue, would present a significant challenge.

Additionally, the poll highlights a significant gender gap in voter preferences. Trump leads among men in Texas by a substantial 18-point margin and in Florida by 12 points. On the other hand, Harris leads among women in Texas by 8 points and in Florida by 2 points, showcasing a divide in support between genders.

The survey was conducted from September 3 to September 5 among 815 likely voters in Florida and 845 likely voters in Texas. The margin of error for Florida was 3.4 percentage points, while for Texas, it stood at 3.3 percentage points. The closeness of the race indicates the significance of these states in determining the ultimate outcome of the presidential election.

The competitiveness of the race between Trump and Harris comes amidst important developments in their campaigns. Earlier this week, it was reported that Vice President Harris significantly outpaced Trump in fundraising for the month of August, potentially bolstering her campaign efforts.

In August alone, Harris's presidential campaign and the Democratic Party raised an impressive $361 million, leaving her campaign with a significant war chest of $404 million at the beginning of September. In contrast, Trump's campaign and the Republican Party raised $130 million in August, concluding the month with $295 million in cash on hand.

Meanwhile, Trump's sentencing for the hush money trial has been postponed until after the election. The delay in the trial coincided with former Vice President Dick Cheney publicly endorsing Harris, citing Trump as a "greater threat to our republic" than any other individual.

As the presidential race continues to heat up, the latest poll results highlighting a close contest between Trump and Harris in Florida and Texas underscore the significance of these states in determining the path to victory. The gender divide among voters further adds complexity to the equation. With Harris's strong fundraising numbers and influential endorsements, the race promises to be an intense battle as the campaign progresses.