Harris and Trump Take Their Campaigns West Ahead of US Elections

US Elections

WASHINGTON: Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are taking their intense White House race to the western United States on Thursday, as both candidates intensify their efforts to secure crucial Latino voters and establish their positions on border security just days before the upcoming election.

This strategic move comes as they navigate through seven swing states anticipated to play a pivotal role in determining the next president.

In a notable effort to rally support, pop singer Jennifer Lopez will join Harris on stage in Las Vegas, bringing her star power to bolster the vice president’s campaign. Meanwhile, Trump has arranged an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson in Arizona and plans a rally in Nevada, aiming to capitalize on the region’s political landscape.

Both campaigns have faced disruptions recently due to controversies. A remark made by a warm-up speaker at a Trump rally, which initially backfired against the Republicans, was followed by a damaging gaffe from President Joe Biden.

During this period, Harris found an opportunity to gain traction after the comedian described Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage,” winning the endorsement of high-profile Puerto Rican celebrities like Lopez, rapper Bad Bunny, and singer Ricky Martin.

However, she soon had to defend herself after Biden seemingly referred to Trump supporters as “garbage.” In response, Harris distanced herself from such criticisms, emphasizing her disagreement with disparaging remarks based on voter affiliation.

Trump, not missing an opportunity to exploit Biden’s blunder, staged a publicity stunt by climbing into a garbage truck at an airport in Wisconsin, further igniting the political circus surrounding the campaign.

On Thursday, the former president is also set to visit New Mexico, a choice that raises eyebrows as polls suggest Harris is likely to win the state by a significant margin.

As they campaign out west, both Harris and Trump are focused on winning over Hispanic voters and gaining credibility on migration issues. Trump is betting that dissatisfaction with the Biden-Harris administration’s immigration policies will sway Arizona—home to a significant border with Mexico—back in his favor.

Notably, Biden flipped Arizona in 2020, marking the first time a Democrat won the state’s electoral votes since Bill Clinton in 1996.

Traditionally, Latino voters have leaned more toward Democratic candidates, but recent polling indicates a shift toward Republicans. According to a New York Times/Siena poll, Harris holds 52% support among Hispanic voters, compared to Trump’s 42%. This shift underscores the evolving dynamics of voter preferences as the election approaches.

Both candidates are scheduled to converge in North Carolina over the weekend as part of a comprehensive tour of battleground states. Harris will also visit key states including Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania before Election Day.

During a recent speech in Wisconsin, the vice president emphasized a message of unity and collaboration, following her impactful “closing argument” address at a massive rally in Washington, D.C.

“Folks are exhausted and want it to stop, the pointing fingers. It is time that we start locking arms together as a people who rise and fall together,” she declared.

Trump, facing 34 felony convictions related to the 2016 election, is widely expected to challenge the outcome of Tuesday’s election if he loses. He is already capitalizing on the usual verification processes employed by election officials to amplify unfounded claims of widespread “cheating.”

As of now, more than 57 million Americans have cast their ballots through early or mail-in voting, accounting for over a third of the total votes cast in 2020. This high early turnout reflects the growing engagement of voters in what promises to be a highly contested election.