Kamala Harris narrowly leads Trump in latest poll

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has edged out Republican Donald Trump by a mere one-percentage-point lead in a new Reuters/Ipsos poll, indicating a highly competitive race just as President Joe Biden steps down from his reelection bid.

The three-day poll, concluding on Sunday, revealed that 43% of registered voters back Vice President Harris, while 42% support former President Trump. This slight advantage falls within the poll’s 3.5 percentage point margin of error. Notably, this poll shows a tightening race, with a previous Reuters/Ipsos poll last week indicating Harris held a slightly larger lead at 44%-42%.

Harris has solidified her position as the Democratic frontrunner over the past ten days, following Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race amid mounting pressure from within his party. This strategic shift has resulted in a surge of donations and endorsements for Harris, further bolstering her campaign.

Public perception of Harris has also improved over the last month. Currently, 46% of voters view her favorably, compared to 51% unfavorably. This is a notable improvement from a Reuters/Ipsos poll on July 2, which showed only 40% favorability and 57% unfavorability. In contrast, Trump’s favorability has remained relatively stable, with 41% of registered voters holding a favorable view and 56% viewing him unfavorably.

The poll underscores the issues where voters prefer each candidate. While Trump is favored on economic, immigration, and crime policies, Harris is seen as having a superior healthcare plan.

The survey, conducted online in English from July 26-28, included responses from 1,025 U.S. adults, of which 876 were registered voters. Although national polls provide a general sense of voter support, the decisive factor in the presidential election will be the outcome in key battleground states like Arizona, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, which sway the U.S. Electoral College.

**Harris on Running Mate Hunt: Who Will Join the Ticket?**

As Harris strengthens her campaign, she is also in the process of selecting a running mate. This crucial decision is being made behind closed doors, with an announcement expected soon as Harris prepares to campaign in pivotal battleground states next week.

Among the potential candidates, U.S. Senator and former astronaut Mark Kelly of Arizona stands out with a 32% favorability rating, followed by governors Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania (27%), Andy Beshear of Kentucky (20%), J.B. Pritzker of Illinois (14%), and Tim Walz of Minnesota (11%). However, the poll indicates that about half of the registered voters are not familiar with Kelly, and even fewer recognize the other contenders.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, although not included in the latest poll, had a 37% favorability rating in the previous week’s survey, highlighting his continued prominence in national politics.

As the race tightens and the political landscape shifts, both candidates are gearing up for an intense battle leading up to the 2024 election, with every decision, endorsement, and policy stance likely to sway the electorate in this closely watched contest.