Former President Trump has closed the gap on Vice President Kamala Harris in the battleground states of Michigan and Wisconsin, according to a new poll conducted by the New York Times/Siena College. In Michigan, Harris leads Trump by just one percentage point, with 48% support compared to Trump’s 47%. In Wisconsin, Harris leads with 49% support among likely voters, compared to Trump’s 47%. The economy remains the most important issue for voters in these states, and Trump’s strength on economic issues is helping him narrow Harris’ lead.
This new poll contrasts with a previous poll conducted in August, which had Harris leading Trump by four percentage points in the battleground states of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. This earlier poll was the first conducted after Harris became the presidential nominee following President Biden’s departure from the race. With less than 40 days until the election, the New York Times/Siena College poll places Harris ahead of Trump by nine percentage points in Nebraska’s Second Congressional District, a critical area that could help secure victory in the Electoral College.
Although Ohio is not considered a battleground state for the presidential race, it is home to a competitive Senate contest between Democrat Sen. Sherrod Brown and GOP challenger Bernie Moreno. The latest polling from New York Times/Siena College has Trump leading Harris by six points in Ohio, while Brown leads Moreno by four points. Democrats have traditionally held an advantage in presidential contest polling in Wisconsin, where the race has been decided by less than a percentage point in four of the last six elections. In Michigan, Biden won by three points in 2020, while Trump won in 2016 by a slim margin.
Abortion emerged as the second most important issue among voters in Michigan and Wisconsin, with 18% of voters listing it as their top concern. This marks an increase from May when only 13% of voters in the two states cited abortion as their key issue. On the abortion issue, Harris leads Trump by 20 points in Michigan but only by 13 points in Wisconsin. This represents a diminishing lead for Harris compared to polling conducted in August, indicating a shifting landscape on this particular issue. The upcoming election remains crucial, with both candidates vying for support in key battleground states.
In a bid to secure victory in crucial swing states, both Harris and Trump are focusing on key issues such as the economy, abortion rights, and other factors that are important to voters in states like Michigan and Wisconsin. With the election just around the corner, both candidates are working hard to gain traction and secure support from undecided voters. As the race tightens in battleground states, every percentage point counts, and both campaigns are leaving no stone unturned in their quest for victory in November.
