Kamala Harris is now leading Donald Trump in three key battleground states, according to a new New York Times/Siena College poll. This shift comes in the wake of Joe Biden‘s decision to step out of the presidential race.
What Happened: According to the poll, Harris is currently leading Trump by four percentage points among likely voters in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Despite the initial volatility of the reshaped race, Democrats now appear to have a stronger footing in these three battleground states. However, on the issues of the economy and immigration, voters still seem to favor Trump over Harris.
Over the past month, Harris’s favorability rating has seen a 10-point increase among registered voters in Pennsylvania, as per Times/Siena polling. Voters perceive Harris as more intelligent and temperamentally fit to govern than Trump.
However, the polls also highlight potential vulnerabilities for Harris. Forty-two percent of voters perceive her as too liberal, and Trump’s campaign is attempting to portray her as a left-wing extremist out of touch with swing-state voters.
Another poll, conducted by NPR/PBS News/Marist earlier this month, found that Harris is making significant strides with white voters. The poll that 46% of white voters would cast their vote for Harris if elections were held today.
This marks a considerable increase from the 40% who expressed support for her shortly after Biden withdrew from the race.
Also Read: Trump Vs. Harris: Latest Survey Indicates Positive Signs For This Candidate
Another poll conducted by Marquette Law School shows Harris trailing Trump by just eight percentage points among white voters. This is a significant development considering white voters have traditionally backed Republican candidates in every presidential election over the past half-century.
A recent Youth & Money Survey conducted by CNBC and Generation Lab revealed that 69% of Americans aged between 18 and 34 believe the economy is deteriorating under the Biden administration. But Harris was still viewed as the best candidate to improve the economy in that survey.
The survey found that 41% of respondents favored Harris for the economy, closely followed by Trump at 40%. This indicates a seven-point swing towards Democrats on economic matters since the same question was posed in May’s Youth & Money Survey. If the presidential election were to be held today, Harris would hold a 12-point lead over Trump among young Americans, according to the poll.
Concerns about the economy and cost of living were identified as the most influential issues on voting decisions by 66% of respondents. However, the survey also underscored potential challenges for Harris and the Democratic Party, including the need to bolster her lead among young voters and potential shifts in economic conditions.
Why It Matters: The shift in favorability towards Harris in these crucial states could potentially reshape the political landscape. The increased voter satisfaction among Democrats indicates a renewed enthusiasm for the upcoming election, which could significantly impact the final results.
However, the perception of Harris as too liberal could pose challenges for her campaign, especially with swing-state voters. As the race continues, these factors will play a crucial role in determining the next President of the United States.
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