Kamala Harris Leads Donald Trump by 2 Points in Latest US Presidential Survey 56% of registered voters agreed with a statement that Harris was “mentally sharp and able to deal with challenges”
Kamala Harris Holds Slight Edge Over Donald Trump in Latest Presidential Poll
In a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted on Monday and Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris has taken a narrow lead over Republican candidate Donald Trump in the upcoming U.S. presidential race. The survey followed President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the reelection campaign and endorse Harris, marking a shift in the Democratic ticket.
According to the poll, Harris, who secured the Democratic nomination, holds a 44% to 42% advantage over Trump nationally, within the 3-percentage-point margin of error. This represents a marginal lead compared to their tied position in mid-July and Trump’s slight edge in early July, all falling within the same margin.
While national polls provide insights into overall voter sentiment, the ultimate decision lies with the U.S. Electoral College, where a few key states typically determine the outcome.
The survey highlighted the rationale behind Biden’s withdrawal and Harris’s elevation to the ticket. A significant 56% of registered voters viewed Harris, aged 59, as “mentally sharp and capable of handling challenges,” contrasting with 49% who held the same view of Trump, aged 78. Biden, aged 81, received a lower assessment from only 22% of voters.
Following Biden’s exit, Harris enjoys strong favorability among Democratic voters, with 91% viewing her favorably compared to 80% for Biden. Three-quarters of Democratic voters expressed support for rallying behind Harris, while a quarter favored multiple candidates vying for the nomination.
In a scenario including independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Harris extended her lead to 42% against Trump’s 38%, a margin outside the poll’s error range. Kennedy garnered 8% support in the survey but faces ballot qualification challenges in several states before the November 5 election.
Campaigning in Wisconsin, a crucial swing state, Harris has garnered endorsements from key party figures, with attention now turning to her choice of running mate.
The poll also revealed limited awareness among respondents regarding potential Democratic vice presidential candidates. About 25% were unfamiliar with U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who held the highest favorability rating among potential running mates at 37%. A third of respondents had not heard of California Governor Gavin Newsom, with a similar share viewing him favorably. Additionally, half of voters were unaware of Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, and two-thirds had no knowledge of Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.
Conducted online, the survey sampled 1,241 U.S. adults nationwide, including 1,018 registered voters.
