In the upcoming presidential election, Vice President Kamala Harris holds a lead of 4.7 percentage points over former President Donald Trump in Minnesota according to Real Clear Politics. While no Republican candidate has won the state since 1972, Trump came close in 2016, losing by only 1.5 points to Hillary Clinton. Trump’s campaigns coincided with heightened partisan regional polarization in the state.
Political scientist Larry Jacobs noted that the Twin Cities suburbs remain a key battleground area. In 2020, Trump narrowed his margin of victory in Carver County while Democrats performed better in Dakota County compared to 2016. A recent MinnPost survey showed that Trump dominates rural areas while Harris leads in urban centers like Minneapolis and St. Paul.
As early voting continues in Minnesota, voters are divided on key issues. A woman named Debbie cited the economy and illegal crossings at the border as her top concerns, voting for Trump despite personal reservations about his personality. On the other hand, student Shikhu Sanjel prioritizes abortion rights and supports Harris, noting the significance of Harris’s historic candidacy as the first woman of color on a major party ticket.
Nationally, Harris and Trump are neck-and-neck in the polls. As the election approaches, the economy, abortion rights, and border security consistently top the list of voter concerns. Early voting numbers show a high level of engagement in the state, setting the stage for a closely contested race on Election Day.
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