Kamala Harris leads Donald Trump in a new Reuters/Ipsos poll, marking the first time since May that Trump has trailed in these polls.
At a Glance:
- Harris gains momentum after Biden’s exit, becoming the Democratic frontrunner.
- New Reuters/Ipsos poll shows Harris leading Trump by two points.
- Inclusion of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the poll widens Harris’ lead.
- Harris is actively campaigning in key battleground states.
Former President Donald Trump is trailing in a Reuters/Ipsos poll for the first time since May, as Vice President Kamala Harris gains momentum in the race. With President Joe Biden stepping down from his campaign, Harris has quickly become the Democratic frontrunner, drawing significant support from her party.
Harris Gains Ground
Harris has stepped into the spotlight following Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race. Prominent Democratic leaders have rallied behind her, and she has swiftly amassed enough delegates to secure the party’s nomination at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in August. Her campaign has gained traction in pivotal battleground states, challenging Trump’s long-standing lead in the polls.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, conducted on July 21 and 22, indicates that Harris is now leading Trump by two percentage points, with 44 percent of respondents supporting her compared to 42 percent for Trump. This marks a notable shift as Trump had maintained a lead against both Harris and Biden in previous months. The poll included 1,241 U.S. adults and reflected the changing dynamics post-Biden’s announcement.
The Impact of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The poll also explored voter preferences with the inclusion of independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In this scenario, Harris’ lead over Trump widened to four points, with 42 percent backing her, 38 percent supporting Trump, and 8 percent favoring Kennedy. This data suggests that Kennedy’s presence in the race might draw more votes away from Trump than Harris.
Other polling data further highlights Harris’ rising support. A YouGov/Yahoo News poll, conducted from July 19 to July 22 among 1,743 adults, showed Harris and Trump tied, each receiving 46 percent of the vote. This poll included responses both before and after Biden’s exit, underscoring Harris’ growing appeal.
Campaign Strategies
Harris has wasted no time in hitting the campaign trail. She launched her campaign with a visit to the Wilmington, Delaware headquarters, addressing key issues such as reproductive rights, which Democrats believe will be pivotal in the upcoming election. Harris then traveled to Wisconsin, a critical battleground state, accompanied by Wisconsin Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin, who is up for reelection.
Harris expressed her excitement about her campaign efforts in Wisconsin, emphasizing the significance of the upcoming election and her determination to defeat Trump. Meanwhile, the Republican camp is ramping up attacks on Harris, focusing on her record on immigration and attempting to associate her with Biden’s struggling approval ratings.
Trump’s campaign, however, remains resilient. Despite the recent poll results, his team is calling for calm and emphasizing the need for a strategic approach to counter Harris’ momentum. The next few months will be crucial as both campaigns intensify their efforts to sway voters in key states.
The recent shift in poll numbers signifies a changing landscape in the presidential race, with Harris emerging as a formidable contender against Trump. The inclusion of Kennedy adds another layer of complexity, potentially altering the dynamics further. As the campaign progresses, both sides are gearing up for a fiercely contested battle leading up to the November election.
