Vice President Kamala Harris's rise to presumptive Democratic presidential nominee has reignited enthusiasm among Democrats, narrowing the race to a dead heat with former President Donald Trump in Michigan, according to a recent Fox News survey.
Vice President Kamala Harris's ascension to the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee has injected a surge of energy into the party, with recent polls showing her tied with former President Donald Trump in the key swing state of Michigan. While Harris's performance may not be significantly different from her predecessor, former Vice President Joe Biden, her candidacy has brought renewed excitement to Democrats and narrowed the race in a state crucial for their electoral hopes.
A Fox News survey conducted after Biden dropped out and endorsed Harris revealed a virtual dead heat between the two candidates in a hypothetical head-to-head matchup, with both receiving 49% support. This marks a significant improvement for Harris compared to Biden's performance in April, when he trailed Trump by 3 points.
Kamala Harris Ties with Trump in Michigan, Energizes Democratic Base
The survey attributes this surge in support for Harris to her improved performance among key voting blocs. She now exceeds Biden's performance among Democrats by 3 points, men by 5 points, Whites without a college degree by 6 points, Black voters by 7 points, voters under age 35 by 12 points, and those with negative views of both Biden and Trump by 23 points.
Harris also benefits from higher support among union households by 6 points, while she trails by only 9 points among those who disapprove of Biden's job performance. These gains are offset by weaker performances among voters ages 65 and over (-3 points) and suburban women (-2 points).
Kamala Harris Ties with Trump in Michigan, Energizes Democratic Base
The survey results suggest that Harris's candidacy is energizing the Democratic base. Seven in 10 Michigan Democrats now want her to be the party's nominee, with only 2 in 10 favoring their governor, Gretchen Whitmer.
However, Whitmer outperforms Harris in a potential two-way matchup against Trump, beating him by a 6-point margin (52-46%). She receives more support than Harris among White voters (by 3 points), women (+3), non-college Whites (+4), and Independents (+6).
Kamala Harris Ties with Trump in Michigan, Energizes Democratic Base
Despite the enthusiasm among Democrats, the race remains competitive. Trump maintains an advantage among men by 13 points, while women back Harris by 12. Trump is also preferred by voters ages 45 and over by 2 points, while Harris leads among voters under 35 by 5 points.
Whites without a college degree favor Trump by 15 points, while Whites with a degree prefer Harris by 3 points. Voters of color overwhelmingly back Harris by 39 points.
In a potential expanded ballot, Harris trails Trump by 2 points (43-45%), with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. getting 7%, and Jill Stein and Cornel West at 1% each.
Overall, the survey suggests that while the race between Harris and Trump may not be drastically different on paper, the dynamics have shifted significantly. Democrats are more energized and united behind Harris, giving them a renewed sense of hope and a better chance of reclaiming the White House in 2024.
The poll also highlights the continued polarization of the electorate, with both Trump and Harris struggling to win over a significant share of the opposing party's supporters. The outcome of the race is likely to hinge on the ability of both candidates to appeal to swing voters and rally their respective bases.
