WASHINGTON: Kamala Harris has closed the gap on former President Donald Trump in three crucial Midwestern battleground states, according to recent polls released on Saturday.
The surveys conducted by The New York Times and Siena College reveal Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, leading Trump by a narrow margin of 50% to 46% in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. These states are pivotal under the U.S. electoral college system, and their outcome could determine the election’s final result.
Although Harris’s lead falls within the polls’ average margin of error of 4.5 points, it represents a marked shift from previous data which had consistently shown Trump either leading or tied with Democratic President Joe Biden in these states. Since Biden’s withdrawal from the race last month and his endorsement of Harris, the dynamics have visibly altered.
The polls indicate that while Trump maintains an edge on critical issues such as the economy and immigration, Harris holds a substantial 24-point lead when it comes to trust on abortion-related matters.
This nuanced preference reflects the varied electoral landscape as voters weigh different issues.
The Trump campaign has expressed skepticism about the polls, criticizing their methodology and suggesting that their release might be aimed at undermining support for the former president. Nonetheless, the polls suggest a notable shift in voter sentiment, with Harris benefiting from increased enthusiasm and a surge of Democratic support following Biden’s exit from the race.
Recent developments have further boosted Harris’s campaign. The announcement of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate has energized Democratic voters and reinvigorated the party’s momentum. This resurgence has dampened the rise in support for Trump observed after the July 13 assassination attempt and the Republicans’ national convention.
Harris’s favorability has notably improved, with a 10-point increase among registered voters in Pennsylvania alone over the past month. Voters perceive Harris as more intelligent and possessing a better temperament for governance compared to Trump.
In response to Harris’s gains, Trump and his allies have intensified their attacks, including controversial remarks questioning her racial identity. Despite these efforts, Harris’s campaign continues to gain traction, with Democrats reporting a 27-point increase in voter satisfaction with their candidate choices in the three pivotal states since May.
The surveys, conducted between August 5 and 9, involved at least 600 voters in each state, reflecting a snapshot of the evolving political landscape as the election date approaches.
