News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/14th August 2024
Kamala Harris, the US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate, is making notable strides in gaining support from a critical group of white working-class voters in essential swing states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. This demographic, which was crucial to Donald Trump’s 2016 victory by breaking the “Blue Wall,” is now showing signs of shifting allegiance towards Harris. This development could significantly impact the upcoming presidential election, scheduled for November.
Historically a stronghold for Trump, these white working-class voters are now displaying a trend towards supporting Harris. This shift is noteworthy and could play a pivotal role in determining the next President of the United States. Recent polls indicate that Kamala Harris is currently leading Donald Trump in seven key swing states, with Trump’s previous lead over Joe Biden diminishing as Harris’s support grows.
In May, Trump had a substantial 25-point advantage among non-college-educated white voters in his race against Joe Biden. However, this lead has decreased significantly by 11 points. This decline in Trump’s poll numbers reflects the growing appeal of Kamala Harris among this crucial voter group. Biden, facing mounting pressure from Democrats following a lackluster debate performance against Trump on June 27 in Atlanta, Georgia, eventually withdrew from the race on July 21. He endorsed Harris, who subsequently secured the Democratic presidential nomination on August 6. Harris has also chosen Tim Walz as her vice-presidential running mate.
The recent polls highlight a dramatic shift, with Trump’s lead now reduced to 14 points from 25 in May. “Donald Trump was up by 25 points in May but now leads by 14 points in August, nearly halving his advantage,” noted Harry Enten, CNN’s Senior Data Reporter. He emphasized that Harris’s performance among non-college-educated whites is now stronger than Biden’s was four years ago, which is critical for her success in the election.
Non-college-educated whites constitute a significant portion of the electorate in swing states, making up nearly half of the voting base. “Non-college whites are the key groups across the board,” Enten explained. In states like Michigan and Pennsylvania, they form a majority at 50%, compared to 27% of college-educated whites and 13% of Black or Hispanic voters. Harris’s ability to close the gap with these voters underscores the importance of economic issues in the election.
Harris’s message of economic reform appears to resonate strongly with white working-class voters, bolstering her prospects in these key swing states. This shift in voter sentiment could potentially reshape the political landscape in her favor.
If Kamala Harris succeeds in the 2024 presidential election, she would make history as the first female President of the United States. The evolving dynamics among former Trump supporters could prove crucial in determining the outcome of this high-stakes election.
