Latino Voters Shift Support to Harris as Trump Assesses North Carolina Storm Aftermath

WASHINGTON — A new poll by Voto Latino reveals Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris is increasing her appeal among Latino voters in key battleground states. This trend is significant amidst a tightly contested presidential race, where both parties recognize the growing influence of Latino voters.

The survey, conducted by GQR, sampled 2,000 registered Latino voters across Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin from September 25 to October 2. Notably, Harris has outperformed President Joe Biden’s 2020 figures in several key states. In August, the poll indicated Harris holding around 60% of Latino support compared to GOP nominee Donald Trump’s 29%. By October, support for Harris had jumped to 64%, while Trump’s rose to 31%.

Young Latino voters, particularly those aged 18 to 29, have significantly contributed to Harris’s growth in support. The polling highlights impressive gains in battleground states: in Arizona, she currently polls at 66% among Latino voters, surpassing Biden’s 61% in 2020. Similar improvements are seen in Pennsylvania, where she stands at 77% support, compared to Biden’s 69%, and in North Carolina, where her support has climbed to 67% from Biden’s 57%.

Trump has been active as well, having visited Asheville, North Carolina, to assess hurricane damage while stressing the importance of early voting. “It’s vital that we not let this hurricane that has taken so much also take your voice,” Trump urged, encouraging residents to participate in the electoral process.

Meanwhile, Harris embarked on a campaign tour in suburban regions of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin alongside former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney, focusing on moderated discussions with constituents. With less than two weeks before the November 5 election, both candidates are deploying celebrities and partisan strategies to capture each vote, reflecting the election’s tight nature.

This past weekend saw Trump rallying supporters in Pennsylvania, where he made headlines with an unusual commentary about golfing legend Arnold Palmer. In a separate campaign appearance, he donned a McDonald’s apron and worked in a closed restaurant, echoing Harris’s prior claims of her own fast-food work experience during college.

Harris also recently returned to Georgia, where over 1.3 million people have already cast their ballots, energizing her supporters through a rally featuring R&B singer Usher and church visits aimed at mobilizing early voters.

As the campaign progresses, Trump plans to meet with Latino leaders in Miami and host rallies in North Carolina. Harris’s agenda includes a town hall event in Pennsylvania and further efforts to galvanize supporters alongside former President Barack Obama in Georgia.

The coming week promises continued high-stakes campaigning as both parties intensify their efforts to sway the crucial Latino vote and ensure robust turnout across key states.