Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are both campaigning in Pennsylvania, a crucial battleground state. Harris will be speaking in Erie in the northwest corner while Trump will be in the southeastern suburbs of Philadelphia. This will be Harris’ 10th visit to Pennsylvania during this campaign season, while Trump has also been making regular appearances in the state. Harris plans to address Trump’s recent comments suggesting the use of the military to deal with “the enemy from within,” highlighting how he sees Americans who disagree with him as enemies.
In response to a question about potential disruptions on Election Day, Trump pivoted to focus on what he called the “enemy from within,” including radical leftists. Harris will use this rhetoric as an example of the threatening comments made by the former president, warning Americans about what a potential second Trump term could entail. Both candidates are likely to discuss Pennsylvania’s energy industry and natural gas fracking as they compete for votes in the state. With mail-in voting already underway, the candidates are targeting the voters who have not yet made up their minds.
Pennsylvania has become a key focus for both campaigns, with Trump winning the state in 2016 and Joe Biden securing a victory there in the 2020 election. Erie County, where Harris will be holding a rally, is seen as a bellwether region with a moderate voting record. Both candidates will be addressing key issues in the state, including Trump’s limited release of health information and Harris’ proposals to support Black men in business and economic opportunities. The presidential campaigns have made a total of 46 stops in Pennsylvania, demonstrating the significance of the state in the race for the White House.
Trump’s town hall in suburban Oaks will aim to drive up turnout among his supporters, with many attendees expressing enthusiasm for his economic policies. Pennsylvania’s 19 electoral votes make it a highly sought-after state, with both campaigns making a significant number of stops in an effort to secure victory. Democrats have historically performed well in Pennsylvania, but the close division of the state’s legislature illustrates its political complexity. With Michigan and Wisconsin also receiving attention from the campaigns, it is clear that both parties are focusing on key swing states to secure electoral success.