April 22, 2016, 01:10 pm

Poll: Trump holds small lead over Cruz in Indiana

By Jonathan Easley

Donald Trump holds a small lead over Ted Cruz in Indiana ahead of what’s lining up to be a critical primary there on May 3.

A WTHR-HPI survey released Friday found Trump taking 37 percent support, followed by Cruz, at 31 percent, and John Kasich, at 22 percent.

It's the only public poll of the state released so far this cycle.

The pollsters will release a detailed breakdown of the data later this evening but said the race becomes “a virtual tie” between Trump and Cruz “when you drill down into the numbers into core Republicans.”

Indiana will be an important test for Trump in his quest for the 1,237 delegates he needs to win the nomination outright and avoid a contested convention.

The GOP front-runner is expected to build on his delegates lead in a string of contests along the East Coast on April 26.

If he can continue that momentum into Indiana on April 3, he’ll be in good position to close the deal heading into the final stretch or the primary.

But many political watchers believe Indiana’s conservative electorate will ultimately boost Cruz to victory in the Hoosier State.

Kasich trails but is making a late run at the state, opening two campaign offices there this week and spending election night there this Tuesday.

Some Republicans are worried that Kasich's efforts will suck support away from Cruz and end up benefitting Trump.

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/...ruz-in-indiana