Harris takes the lead: Democrats gain support from Latinos, independents
The latest polls seem optimistic for the Democratic candidate. According to a Fox News survey, Kamala Harris has a two-percent advantage.
6:01 AM EDT, September 19, 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris has surpassed former President Donald Trump in the latest survey commissioned by Fox News. Analysts note that more and more voters see Harris as the candidate who will help the middle class. Latino voters and independents are also leaning towards the Democratic candidate.
This is the first time Harris has reached 50 percent support, with identical voting results among both registered and likely voters. Forty-eight percent of respondents declare they will vote for Donald Trump, and just two percent are undecided.
"Of course, presidential elections are decided by electoral votes from the states, not national vote totals. Hillary Clinton had a 2-point popular vote margin over Trump in 2016 but lost the Electoral College 304-227," Fox News reminds.
Latinos and independents lean toward Harris
Fox News emphasizes that many events have occurred since the August poll that may affect voters' opinions. The Democratic National Convention occurred, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. withdrew from the race and endorsed Trump, and former Vice President Dick Cheney and former Congresswoman Liz Cheney endorsed Harris. At the beginning of September, the candidates faced off in a debate, which polls indicate was won by the Democratic candidate.
The network points out that the biggest change since last month is that independent voters and those of Latino descent are leaning toward Harris. Latinos previously favored Trump with 6 percent support in August, but now 12 percent of them choose the current Vice President. Fox News notes that estimates among small subgroups are variable and shouldn't be considered certain.