As the Democratic Convention kicks off tonight, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris leads Donald Trump by a narrow margin in the latest presidential poll.
According to a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos survey, Harris has captured 49 per cent of voter support, while Trump trails slightly at 45 per cent.
This four-point lead represents a slight yet significant shift in the Democrats’ favour, particularly compared to last month’s polls, which depicted a tight race between then-presidential nominee Joe Biden and Trump. With third-party candidates considered, Harris secures 47 percent, Trump 44 percent, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 5 percent.
Trump led in July with 43 percent, Biden 42 percent, and Kennedy 9 percent. Despite Harris’s lead providing the Democrats a marginal advantage, the poll suggests a closely contested election come November. Key battleground states—Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada—will determine the outcome.
Recent public polls suggest that Harris has made gains in nearly all swing states since Biden withdrew from the race. Biden’s decision followed a challenging performance in the first presidential debate against Trump, leading to calls from Democratic leaders and donors for his withdrawal.
On July 21, Biden endorsed Harris as the Democratic nominee after resisting initial pressures to step down. The Democrats are now focusing on solidifying this lead, with tonight’s convention set to bolster Harris’s campaign. High-profile endorsements during the convention will come from Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Bill and Hillary Clinton, aiming to energize supporters and gain momentum for the upcoming debates between the nominees.
