On Wednesday in North Carolina, former President Donald Trump argued that his re-election would bolster Americans’ well-being. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris is set to respond with her own economic address this Friday. As the 2024 presidential race heats up, a new poll has revealed a close contest between Trump and Harris.
The DailyMail poll, conducted among 1,001 likely voters, showed Trump with a lead of two percentage points—43% to Harris’s 41%. While some polls suggest Harris is gaining momentum, the poll indicates a still competitive race. However, the race to the White House could indeed come down to the wire this November.
A separate online survey explored the reasons behind Trump’s slight edge, identifying his perceived strength and charisma as key factors. Voters see him as the candidate more capable of achieving results. Meanwhile, Harris is viewed more favorably than Biden in several respects, positioning her as a stronger candidate than the former president she succeeded.
NEW J.L. Partners polling for @DailyMail
Trump has a 2-point lead over Kamala Harris
Trump: 43% (+2)
Harris: 41%
RFK Jr: 5%Though Harris has made inroads with black voters and 18-49 year olds, the picture with White and Hispanic voters remains unchanged.
Trump also leads on…
— J.L. Partners 🇺🇸 (@J_L_Partners) August 14, 2024
James Johnson, co-founder of J.L. Partners, which conducted the poll, noted that despite recent challenges, there are still positive indicators for Trump in the findings. “Do not get us wrong. Harris has made big inroads—especially with young voters and blacks—and she has started to close the gap with independents,” Johnson explained. “But Trump holds an advantage with his base, who remain more energized, and has held his position with whites, Hispanics, and voters over the age of 50. Harris’s biggest support remains relatively limited to 18 to 49-year-olds.
“At the moment we are looking at a race made tighter, rather than transformed to a Harris shoo-in,’ Johnson said. “All eyes now should be on the independents. If Harris can make more progress with them, then we could see Trump’s advantage disappear.”
Set for November 5, Americans will vote for their next president and vice president. The election cycle has seen significant developments, particularly within the Democrat Party. After a concerning performance in a June debate, raising issues about his age and health, Biden faced pressure to withdraw. He officially exited the race on July 21, endorsing Vice President Harris, who quickly became the Democratic nominee on August 5. Harris, aligning closely with Biden’s policies, chose Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. Notably, Biden was the first president since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968 to opt out of a re-election campaign after securing the nomination.
Former President Trump is attempting a comeback for a second non-consecutive term, facing minimal opposition in the primaries and securing the nomination early on. Trump, the first former president convicted of a crime, has faced legal repercussions for various charges. Voters in pivotal swing states like Arizona, Georgia, and Pennsylvania will play a crucial role in deciding the outcome. The winners of the election are scheduled to be inaugurated on January 20, 2025.
