Harris Gains Momentum with Black Voters in Battleground States, Gaps Persist

Darryl Gatewood, having been out of work for two years, secured a position driving a pharmaceutical delivery truck in suburban Pennsylvania earlier this year. It’s a well-paying job that comes with healthcare benefits, marking an improvement in his circumstances. Yet, despite this positive development, Gatewood remains cautious about the upcoming election. As a Black man and registered Democrat in a swing state, he considers the economy to be his primary concern. His vote for president hangs in the balance, with several options still in play.

Gatewood is among many voters who are undecided, weighing their support for Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, Republican candidate Donald Trump, or potentially a third-party candidate. “They say Trump is about rich folks,” he mentioned. “But what is she going to do for the whole of the country?”

Support for Harris is increasing among Black voters in battleground states like Michigan and Pennsylvania. However, it’s clear that the presumptive nominee must do more to address the worries of young, low-income, and undecided Black voters regarding rising grocery bills and housing costs, according to an exclusive USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll.

This survey of 500 Black voters from both states, conducted over the weekend, reveals that these voters prefer Harris over Trump by a significant margin—7 to 1 in Michigan and nearly the same in Pennsylvania. Yet, while the poll reflects growing support, it also reveals serious concerns among those most affected by years of inflation. If voters such as Gatewood turn to third-party candidates, it could be detrimental for Harris in what is shaping up to be a closely contested race.

As Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, head to the Democratic National Convention, experts stress the importance of appealing to uncommitted voters as well as those leaning toward third-party options. “With 80 days to the election, to win, Harris must still gain ground among young, low-income and independent voters,” states David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center.

Enthusiasm for Harris’s campaign appears to be on the rise, especially since she assumed the top of the Democratic ticket in July after President Joe Biden was urged to withdraw from the race. Paleologos likened the current situation to a sports game in which a team previously trailing significantly has leveled the score, emphasizing the need for a strong finish.

Harris has actively campaigned across the country, including a recent rally in Philadelphia where she introduced Walz as her running mate. The latest polling shows a notable increase in her favorability ratings compared to Biden. In Michigan, Harris’s favorability jumped to 72% from 60% in June, while in Pennsylvania, her rating rose to 68% from 55% in the same timeframe.

With 77% of Black voters in these key states now indicating they are “very likely” to vote for Harris, the motivational shift is evident. “There’s an exceptionally high level of motivation today,” Paleologos remarked, although he added that the margins of support still needed to improve.

However, attracting undecided and third-party voters remains a significant challenge. Voters like Nikia Mumin-Washington, who identifies as a registered Democrat, are contemplating casting their ballots for other candidates, such as academic Cornel West. “I’d rather vote the way that I want to vote instead of just going along with the popular one,” she said.

In addition, current polling suggests that about 8% of respondents in Pennsylvania and 11% in Michigan are considering third-party options, which may include West and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Uncertainty remains about which candidates will officially be on the ballot, as some have faced disqualification issues.

On the ground in Michigan, 23-year-old Tre Pearson has yet to decide on his presidential choice. Having voted for both Trump and Biden in previous elections, he is now seriously weighing his options after Harris took over the Democratic ticket. “I’m aiming towards who’s going to take care of the community,” Pearson noted. “She really needs to connect on her agenda, be more personable, more authentic.”

As Harris seeks support, increasing economic concerns that have hit low-income households—particularly in the Black community—remain a pressing issue. In recent polling, many lower-income voters reported worsening financial situations as inflation persists. Paleologos highlighted that while overall support for Harris is high among Black voters, the economic struggles could impact voting behavior come November.

Amid these challenges, the Harris-Walz campaign recently introduced initiatives aimed at addressing rising grocery prices, capping prescription drug costs, and providing support for families and first-time homebuyers. The economic conditions have spurred conversations among voters like Linnea Faller, a registered Democrat seeking to be well-informed before casting her vote in November.

Ultimately, voters express mixed feelings but also a sense of duty to support a Black candidate at the top of the ticket. For many, the stakes are high, and despite personal hardships, there remains a hope that a Harris administration might lead to a brighter economic future.

Source: USA TODAY