Surprising turn of events, Vice President Kamala Harris has taken a slight lead over former President Donald Trump in the race for the White House. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted earlier this week shows Harris ahead by two percentage points, securing 44% of the vote compared to Trump’s 42%. This poll was carried out on Monday and Tuesday, following President Joe Biden’s announcement that he will not seek re-election and will support Harris’s presidential bid.
This shift in public opinion marks a significant moment in the race. A poll conducted just last week showed Trump tied with Harris at 44% support each and leading Biden by two percentage points. An earlier poll from July 1-2 had Trump leading Harris by a narrow margin of one point. However, recent events, including an assassination attempt on Trump during a rally and the fervent start of Harris’s campaign, have contributed to changing voter sentiments.
Harris’s favorability among all voters has notably increased, jumping from 39% to 44% in just one week. A majority of 56% of voters now consider her “mentally sharp and able to deal with challenges,” compared to 49% who said the same about Trump and a mere 22% for Biden. This boost in Harris’s favorability can be attributed to the strong endorsements she has received from key Democratic figures. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) have all rallied behind her following Biden’s endorsement.
The poll also highlights a strong desire among Democratic voters to unify behind Harris swiftly. Nearly three-quarters of Democratic respondents believe the party should consolidate its support for Harris, enabling her to immediately build a robust campaign. In contrast, only about one-quarter think multiple candidates should compete for the nomination. Notably, former President Barack Obama has yet to endorse Harris or any other potential challenger, leaving a gap in unanimous party support.
Harris is reportedly vetting several possible vice-presidential candidates. The poll indicates that many voters are unfamiliar with these potential candidates. For example, about one-quarter of registered voters have never heard of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, one-third are unaware of California Governor Gavin Newsom, half have not heard of Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and two-thirds know nothing about Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. This lack of familiarity presents a challenge for Harris as she considers her running mate options.
Despite these challenges, Harris appears well-positioned to secure the Democratic nomination. Multiple reports suggest that she already has the support of enough Democratic delegates to clinch her party’s endorsement. This strong backing from within the party, coupled with her growing favorability among voters, sets a promising stage for her campaign.
