Recent polls conducted by The New York Times and Siena College from August 5-9 show Vice President Kamala Harris leading former President Donald Trump by 4 percentage points in three key battleground states: Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. The surveys reveal Harris with 50% support compared to Trump’s 46% among likely voters in each state.This marks a significant shift from previous polls that showed Trump either tied with or slightly ahead of former Democratic candidate Joe Biden, who withdrew from the race in July and endorsed Harris. The Harris campaign has gained momentum since Biden’s departure, with Harris’s approval ratings improving and the selection of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate energizing the Democratic base.While the polls indicate a stronger position for Democrats in these crucial states, they also highlight vulnerabilities for Harris. Voters still prefer Trump on economic and immigration issues, which remain central to the presidential campaign. However, Harris holds a substantial 24-point lead over Trump on the issue of abortion rights.Both campaigns have responded to the new polling data. The Democratic Party is cautiously optimistic, while the Trump campaign has questioned the reliability of the polls, calling them ‘clearly biased’ and ‘intended to reduce support for President Trump’.With less than three months until the November 5 election, both candidates are aware of the importance of these swing states. The polls suggest a competitive race ahead, with the potential for further shifts in voter preferences as the campaigns progress.
Key points
- Vice President Kamala Harris leads Donald Trump by 4 percentage points in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, according to new polls.
- The polls show a reversal from previous trends that favored Trump over Joe Biden.
- Harris holds a strong lead on abortion rights, while Trump is preferred on economic and immigration issues.
- Both campaigns are responding to the new data, with less than three months until the November 5 election.
Contradictions👾While most sources report Harris leading by 4 percentage points, one source mentions a national lead of 42% to 37% for Harris over Trump, which differs slightly from the state-specific results.
