Trump Outpacing Harris In New Sunbelt Polls: Report
A new poll conducted by The New York Times and Siena College brings promising news for former President Donald Trump and signals that the initial "enthusiasm gap" once enjoyed by Vice President Kamala Harris has diminished.
According to the poll, Trump holds a five-point lead over Harris in Arizona, with a 50-45 percent margin, and similar leads in Georgia (49-45 percent) and North Carolina (49-47 percent).
“The surveys of these three states, conducted between Sept. 17 and 21, offer further evidence that in a deeply divided country, the presidential race is shaping up to be one of the most closely contested in history,” the Times reported, analyzing the data.
Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina are part of the seven crucial battleground states where both the Trump and Harris campaigns have focused their efforts since Labor Day. Harris has shown strength in critical Midwestern states, particularly Pennsylvania, which remains essential to her presidential hopes, according to the outlet.
Arizona, which President Joe Biden narrowly won in 2020 by a margin of just over 10,400 votes, now presents a considerable challenge for Harris. While an August Times/Siena poll showed Harris leading by five points, Latino voters appear to be shifting away from her, with 10 percent still undecided.
Trump is also benefiting from ticket-splitting, as Harris trails, while Arizona's Democratic Senate candidate, Rep. Reuben Gallego, is currently ahead of Republican nominee Kari Lake.
“The polls found that voters in these states were increasingly concerned about both their own future and the nation's trajectory,” the Times noted.
"Whatever path we’re on right now doesn’t seem like it’s heading in a good direction," said Tyler Stembridge, a 41-year-old fire captain from Centerville, Georgia, who is a Republican. Stembridge voted for Trump in 2020 and plans to do so again, he told the outlet.
In Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina, approximately 15 percent of voters remain undecided or not fully committed to a candidate, indicating room for potential changes in voter sentiment. While this group leaned toward Harris in August, recent trends show a shift in favor of Trump.
Meanwhile, Speaker Mike Johnson is optimistic about the GOP’s prospects in the upcoming elections after Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate.
In an interview with The Hill, Johnson expressed confidence that Trump would win the presidential election and that Republicans would perform well across the board.
"I’m confident with the current match-up," Johnson said when asked about the GOP’s chances. "I’m glad Harris chose Walz because they can’t hide from their record, and I don’t believe it will resonate with voters."
"We were already on track for a decisive victory in both the House and Senate before the latest developments, and I believe we still are," Johnson continued.
"I’m very optimistic about November," he added.
Speaking from the 79th floor of a skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan with a view of New York City, Johnson predicted that every Republican incumbent in the House would win re-election in November.
"New York, along with California and other swing states, is crucial to maintaining our majority," Johnson said. "We have excellent incumbents in these districts who are running strong campaigns. It's been rewarding to watch."
"They're outworking their opponents, and in many cases, raising more funds. This is encouraging because they have the right message, the right tone, and a deep connection to their communities, presenting a compelling case for re-election," Johnson concluded.