In Pennsylvania, a critical battleground for the November elections, both the Trump and Harris campaigns are carefully navigating the political landscape. This development could benefit former President Donald Trump, according to a recent poll.
Observers have long anticipated that the presidential race might hinge on Pennsylvania, a state notable for influential figures like Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) and Governor Josh Shapiro, who was considered for vice president but ultimately not chosen by Kamala Harris. Fetterman, a progressive who has shifted towards the center on some issues, even forecasted a Trump victory in the state. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris is adjusting her stance on fracking, a contentious issue with significant economic implications in Pennsylvania. InsiderAdvantage Polling suggests these factors may be tilting the contest in Trump’s favor.
A recent survey of 800 likely Pennsylvania voters shows former President Donald Trump leading Harris by 2%, with Trump at 50% and Harris at 48% if the election were held today. Trump’s lead is notable compared to GOP Senate nominee Dave McCormick, who trails incumbent Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) by 5%, with McCormick at 44% and Casey at 49%.
Only 1% of voters prefer another presidential candidate, and another 1% are undecided. The absence of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from the statewide ballot may have led his supporters to Trump, who received Kennedy’s endorsement. Additionally, recent post-debate analysis suggests that the shrinking pool of undecided voters may be leaning toward Trump.
? PENNSYLVANIA GE: @InsiderPolling
? Trump: 50% (+2)
? Harris: 48%
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Senate
? Casey (inc): 49% (+5)
? McCormick: 44%
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#86 (2.0/3.0) | 800 LV | 9/14-15 | ±3.46%https://t.co/6uRWwQj7rP pic.twitter.com/xgnSpBBfNQ— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) September 17, 2024
Harris’s shifting stance on fracking has sparked criticism over her credibility regarding her plans for the practice. During her 2019 presidential campaign, Harris committed to a nationwide ban on fracking, referencing environmental studies that highlighted potential risks to local water supplies. However, she now supports Pennsylvania’s right to use fracking for natural gas extraction. Critics question her authenticity, pointing to other progressive promises from her past—such as funding gender transitions for migrants and felons—that are conspicuously absent from her current platform. Reporters have raised concerns about whether her current position reflects a genuine change or a political calculation.
Meanwhile, mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania that lack accurate dates on their return envelopes can be discarded following a ruling by the state Supreme Court last week, which may have significant implications for the 2024 election. The higher court reversed a lower court decision that had deemed the mandate unenforceable, ruling that the lower court should not have addressed the issue without involving election boards from all 67 counties. The case was initially brought by left-leaning groups who only sued the election boards in Philadelphia and Allegheny counties, the state’s two most populous regions.
Just two weeks ago, the Commonwealth Court had suspended the enforcement of date verification on mail-in ballots. However, with the recent high court ruling, thousands of ballots in this critical swing state could be invalidated if their return envelopes contain inaccurate dates in a massive election integrity win that the campaign of Trump and the Republican National Committee are hailing. They note that the 4-3 ruling is likely to affect Democrat voters the most, as Democrats are far more likely to vote by mail in the Keystone State.
The RNC issued a statement praising the decision as a big win for election confidence. “This is a huge win to protect the vote in Pennsylvania that will secure commonsense mail ballot safeguards and help voters cast their ballots with confidence. The Keystone State will be absolutely critical in this election, and the Supreme Court has decided a major victory for election integrity,” RNC Michael Whatley said in a joint statement with RNC co-chair Lara Trump.
Disclaimer: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.