Vice President Kamala Harris’s ascension as the Democratic presidential nominee against former President Donald Trump has electrified a race that once seemed firmly in the GOP’s favor.
Harris has quickly closed the gap with Trump in national polls, where he previously led President Joe Biden by five to six points before Biden exited the 2024 race.
In just two weeks, Harris has shattered fundraising records, pulling in $310 million in July and finishing the month with $377 million on hand, far outpacing Trump’s $138.7 million haul and $327 million cash on hand.
🇺🇸 While fundraising, Kamala Harris’ campaign segregated supporters into different zoom calls depending on their gender and race.
Has the left become the new face of racism? pic.twitter.com/qOs5dFE890
— BlendrNews (@BlendrNews) August 2, 2024
With a running mate announcement looming, battleground states have become the focal point of her campaign strategy. Pennsylvania, a critical swing state, shows Trump leading Harris by four points in one poll and by a single point in another, indicating a challenging path ahead.
North Carolina, another crucial state, last voted Democrat in 2008. Polls show Trump leading Harris by two to six points, though his increased ad spending and campaign rallies indicate he isn’t taking the state for granted.
In the Sunbelt battlegrounds, Harris’s impact is mixed. Arizona polls show Trump leading by four points on average, though one survey gives Harris a slight edge. Nevada’s polling is equally split, with Harris leading in one poll but trailing by four points in another.
Vice President Kamala Harris raised $200 million in her first week as a 2024 presidential contender.
The campaign says 66% of her fundraising came from first-time donors https://t.co/yuzX3ev3a4 pic.twitter.com/Yokhv5bJwP
— Bloomberg TV (@BloombergTV) July 29, 2024
Harris’s recent rally in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, highlighted her efforts to strengthen her position in this toss-up state. Polls show a tight race, with Trump leading by 0.2% in one average and Harris ahead by two points in another survey.
Georgia, part of the “blue wall,” is critical for Harris, who aims to replicate Biden’s 2020 victory. A rally featuring prominent Democratic leaders saw her challenging Trump to a debate, with polls showing a tight race at 47% each.
@JackPosobiec reporting from Trump’s PA rally tonight that (D) Gov Josh Shapiro is likely pick for Kamala’s VP. Shortly after, the Harris campaign announced she will hold her 1st rally with her new VP nominee on Tues Aug 6 in Philadelphia. Looking more & more likely Shapiro is… pic.twitter.com/ePg7bNKzhz
— Carolyn Ryan (@CarolynRyanTV) August 1, 2024
Michigan presents perhaps Harris’s best opportunity, with polls showing her leading Trump by two to eleven points. However, uncertainty remains with over 101,000 uncommitted votes from the Democratic primary.
Harris’s nuanced stance on international issues, such as Israel and Gaza, may play a crucial role in securing key states. Her ability to navigate these complexities could determine her success in November.
Major points
- Harris secures the Democratic presidential nomination, challenging Trump.
- Fundraising surges, with Harris raising $310 million in July, surpassing Trump’s $138.7 million.
- Focus shifts to battleground states: Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Arizona, Nevada, Wisconsin, and Georgia.
- Polls show tight races in key states, with Harris slightly trailing or narrowly leading Trump.
- Harris’s upcoming running mate announcement and strategic rallies aim to solidify support.
Lap Fu Ip – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News