Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump gestures during a rally with his vice presidential running mate U.S. Senator JD Vance in St. Cloud, Minnesota, U.S., July 27, 2024. REUTERS/Carlos Osorio
Harris Holds Marginal Lead Over Trump in Latest Reuters/Ipsos Poll
In a new Reuters/Ipsos poll, Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris holds a narrow one-percentage-point lead over Republican Donald Trump. This development closes the gap that emerged in the final weeks of President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign.
Poll Results
The three-day poll, completed on Sunday, indicates that Vice President Harris is supported by 43% of registered voters, compared to 42% for former President Trump. The poll has a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points. In comparison, a Reuters/Ipsos poll from the previous week showed Harris with a 44%-42% lead.
Harris’s Consolidation as Democratic Candidate
Over the past ten days, Harris has solidified her position as the Democratic candidate. This follows President Biden, 81, bowing to increasing pressure within his party and withdrawing from the race. Consequently, Harris has seen a surge in donations and endorsements.
Voter Perception and Favorability
The poll reveals that voters’ perception of Harris has improved over the last month. Currently, 46% of voters view her favorably, while 51% hold an unfavorable view. This is an improvement from the July 2 Reuters/Ipsos poll, which showed 40% favorable and 57% unfavorable. Trump’s favorability remains relatively unchanged, with 41% of registered voters viewing him favorably and 56% unfavorably in the most recent poll.
Policy Preferences
According to the poll, registered voters prefer Trump’s approach on the economy, immigration, and crime. In contrast, Harris is seen as having a superior plan for healthcare.
Poll Demographics and Methodology
The poll surveyed 1,025 U.S. adults, including 876 registered voters. It was conducted online in English from July 26-28. While nationwide polls reflect general voter support, the U.S. presidency is typically decided by competitive states like Arizona, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, which influence the balance in the Electoral College.
Harris’s Search for a Running Mate
Harris and her campaign team are in the process of vetting potential running mates behind closed doors. An announcement could be made soon, as Harris plans to campaign alongside her chosen running mate in key battleground states next week.
Potential Running Mates
The poll suggests that the contenders for the vice-presidential position have yet to establish large national profiles. U.S. Senator and former astronaut Mark Kelly of Arizona holds the highest favorability rating among the group at 32%, followed by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro at 27%, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear at 20%, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker at 14%, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz at 11%. Approximately half of the registered voters surveyed said they had not heard of Kelly and were even less familiar with the other contenders.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was not included in the latest poll. However, in last week’s poll, 37% of registered voters viewed him favorably.
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