House Democrats are ahead of Republicans 12 percentage points in the lead-up to the November midterm elections, according to a Wednesday Quinnipiac University poll.

If the November midterm elections were held in July, 51 percent of voters say they would vote for a Democrat, compared to 39 percent that would vote for Republicans.

The divide is large among male and female voters. With an almost 2 to 1 backing, women throw their support behind Democrats 57 percent to 32 percent. Men are more evenly divided on whether they would support a Republican or Democrat in November. Roughly 46 percent of men would vote for a Republican and 46 percent would support a Democrat. (RELATED: Republicans Are Fleeing And So Are Their Chances Of Keeping The House)

Along racial lines, white and black voters draw a stark contrast. White voters are nearly even split, with 46 percent for Democrats and 45 percent for Republicans. Black voters go 78 percent for Democrats and 66 percent of Hispanic voters back Democrats.

Quinnipiac University polled 1,177 voters nationwide between July 18 and 23 over the phone. The results have a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.

There is a great deal of debate as to whether or not Republicans can maintain control of the lower chamber.

Fifty House Republicans are either resigning, retiring or seeking other office in 2018. Roughly 22 House members retire each election cycle, so to say the party is going through a rather seismic shift is not a misnomer. Republican leadership in the House remains publicly optimistic about their chances of maintaining the majority in the lower chamber.

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