Harris Leads Trump by 3% in Polls, but Election Race Remains Intense
1min read The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll, which surveyed 4,129 U.S. adults nationwide, including 3,481 registered voters and 3,307 likely voters, shows Kamala Harris holding a narrow 3-point lead over Donald Trump, 46% to 43%, among likely voters.
Despite this lead, voters express dissatisfaction with the state of the economy and immigration, with many favoring Trump's policies on these issues. The poll found that voters see the economy, immigration, and threats to democracy as the most pressing problems facing the country. On the economy, Trump leads Harris 46% to 38%, and on immigration, he holds a stronger lead, 48% to 35%.
Immigration emerged as the top issue respondents believe the next president should prioritize during their first 100 days in office, with 35% choosing it as the most important. Other issues, such as income inequality, healthcare, and taxes, were cited by fewer voters, each receiving 10% or less of the vote.
However, Harris outperforms Trump on other key issues, including addressing political extremism and threats to democracy, where she leads 42% to 35%. She also has an advantage on abortion policy and healthcare.
Spending Advantage: Harris Outpaces Trump in Ad Spending and Fundraising
In addition to her polling lead, Harris's campaign has a significant financial advantage. In September, her team spent $270 million on campaign advertising, far outpacing Trump's $78 million. Harris also raised $222 million in campaign funds during the month, compared to Trump's $63 million.
As of the start of October, Harris's campaign had $187 million in cash on hand, while Trump's campaign reported $120 million. This spending surge comes as Harris ramps up her advertising efforts in the final sprint before Election Day.
However, even with a substantial spending advantage, victory is not guaranteed for Harris. Polls suggest the race remains tight, especially in critical swing states that could decide the election outcome.
A Repeat of 2016?
This financial disparity echoes the 2016 presidential race, when Donald Trump raised and spent far less than his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton. Despite the funding gap, Trump ultimately won the White House, reminding observers that money alone does not always determine the winner in U.S. elections.
