This photo collage, created on July 23, 2024, features U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris (left) and former President Donald Trump (right). IMAGE:Getty Images
In Summary:
1) Kamala Harris leads Donald Trump in a head-to-head matchup by 2 percent in a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.
2) Biden’s endorsement and Harris’ delegate count boost her to the Democratic nomination.
3) Harris’ lead increases to 4 points when independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is included.
In a significant development in the 2024 presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris has overtaken former President Donald Trump in recent polling.
Following President Joe Biden’s unexpected withdrawal from the race and his subsequent endorsement of Harris, she now leads Trump by 2 percent in a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.
On Sunday, Biden announced he would not seek reelection, endorsing Harris, who has since secured enough delegates to be the Democratic nominee at the upcoming Democratic National Convention.
This shift has altered the dynamics of the race, with Harris now holding a slight advantage over Trump in direct matchups.
Polling data shows varying results over recent weeks. A July 1-2 poll had Trump leading by 1 percent, and a July 15-16 poll showed them tied at 44 percent.
However, the latest poll indicates Harris leading Trump 44 percent to 42 percent.
When independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is included in the polling, Harris’ lead widens to 4 points, 42 percent to 38 percent.
Despite this surge, other polls taken around Biden’s exit showed Trump maintaining a lead.
A Morning Consult poll immediately following Biden’s withdrawal had Trump ahead 47 percent to 45 percent.
Two other polls from the same period showed Trump leading by up to 9 percentage points.
Several polls showed Kamala Harris trailing Donald Trump after President Biden withdrew from the race. A poll released on Tuesday now shows Harris pulling ahead. IMAGE: Daily Mail
The polling results reflect the dramatic shifts in the betting markets, with Trump being the favored candidate to win the November election. However, Harris has garnered substantial support within her party, with 65 percent of Democrats backing her as Biden’s replacement.
The same poll found that 63 percent of Americans believe Biden should serve out his term, despite his recent COVID-19 diagnosis and isolation.
In a surprising fundraising boost, Harris’ campaign saw a record $46.4 million surge in donations within seven hours of Biden’s exit.
This financial support highlights the momentum building behind Harris as she prepares for the Democratic National Convention next month.
President Biden is expected to return to Washington, D.C., from Delaware, where he has been isolating, marking his first public appearance in six days since his positive COVID-19 test.