Former President Donald Trump is leading in the polls against Vice President Kamala Harris, who is expected to become the Democratic nominee following President Joe Biden’s decision not to seek reelection. Over the weekend, Biden endorsed Harris, and major Democratic figures have rallied behind her. Despite this support, Harris faces an uphill battle in the polls.
According to the RealClearPolitics polling average, Trump leads Harris by 1.7% in a direct matchup. The gap widens in a five-way race, where Trump is ahead by 5%. This broader race includes independent candidates Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cornel West, as well as Green Party candidate Jill Stein.
The Trump campaign has highlighted several polls showing him ahead of Harris. A JL Partners survey shows Trump up by 11 points, a Socal Research poll has him ahead by 8 points, a YouGov survey indicates a 5-point lead, and an Emerson College poll shows a 6-point advantage for Trump. An NPR/PBS/Marist poll from earlier this month, however, had Harris with a narrow 50% to 49% lead over Trump.
Biden’s endorsement of Harris came after his announcement to not seek another term. He praised Harris, stating that his decision to select her as his running mate in 2020 was one of his best decisions. Despite the endorsement, Harris has yet to secure the Democratic nomination officially, as the selection process will take place at the Democratic National Convention.
Harris’s potential nomination has faced mixed reactions. While some prominent Democrats have endorsed her, others have expressed concerns about her polling numbers against Trump. As the election approaches, the Democratic Party will need to solidify its support behind Harris to challenge Trump’s current lead effectively.
