Kamala Harris Leads Donald Trump by 7 Points in US Presidential Race, Poll Shows

In the race for the U.S. presidency, Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris holds a 7-point lead over Republican contender Donald Trump, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll published on Tuesday. The poll, which closed on Monday, found Harris leading Trump 47% to 40%, as she appeared to narrow Trump’s traditional advantage on key issues like the economy and jobs.

The poll, which surveyed 1,029 U.S. adults, including 871 registered voters, revealed that Harris has the backing of 46.61% of voters, while Trump is supported by 40.48%. The margin of error in the survey is approximately four percentage points. Harris’s lead has increased slightly from a previous Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in mid-September, where she held a five-point advantage.

While national polls offer valuable insights into voter sentiment, the ultimate decision will come down to the state-by-state results of the Electoral College, particularly in the seven key battleground states. Polls indicate that the race is much tighter in these decisive states, with many results falling within the margin of error. A recent New York Times/Siena College poll showed Trump holding narrow leads in key states like Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina.

Despite the national lead, Harris continues to face challenges when it comes to voter perceptions of economic stewardship, a traditional stronghold for Trump. In the latest poll, 43% of respondents said they trusted Trump more on the economy, jobs, and unemployment, compared to 41% for Harris. This marks a slight improvement for Harris, who trailed Trump by 11 points on economic issues in late July.

Harris entered the race for president after incumbent Joe Biden withdrew following a poor debate performance against Trump in June. At the time, Trump was widely seen as the frontrunner, largely due to his perceived strength on economic issues, especially after years of inflation during Biden’s presidency. Despite this, Harris has steadily gained ground.

Both candidates have placed economic issues at the center of their campaigns, with Harris promising tax breaks for families and higher corporate taxes, while Trump has focused on creating special manufacturing zones and raising tariffs on imported goods. Harris is expected to unveil new economic policies in the coming days as she works to solidify her support base ahead of the November 5 election.

The latest poll shows a close race overall, with Harris leading Trump 48.3% to 45.8%, according to the polling average maintained by FiveThirtyEight. Among likely voters, Harris’s lead extends to 50% compared to Trump’s 44%, reinforcing the competitiveness of the race as Election Day approaches.