Harris leads Trump in key swing states, poll shows

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris holds a lead over former President Donald Trump in two crucial swing states seven weeks before the presidential election, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll.

The survey, conducted from 12-16 September, shows Harris with a six-point advantage in Pennsylvania, garnering 51% of voting intention compared to Trump’s 45%. Pennsylvania, which offers more electors than any other six swing states, is seen as pivotal in the race for the White House.

Harris also maintains a lead in Michigan (50% to 45%) and a narrow edge in Wisconsin (48% to 47%), the poll indicates.

The results come one week after the vice-presidential debate held in Pennsylvania on 10 September, potentially the only face-off between the two contenders. Notably, Pennsylvania was the site of an alleged assassination attempt on Trump on 13 July, where he reportedly suffered an ear injury from a bullet.

Political analysts suggest that a candidate losing all three states would face a significant hurdle to election victory. Trump won these states in 2016, while Joe Biden secured them in the 2020 election.

The Quinnipiac poll surveyed 1,331 voters in Pennsylvania, 905 in Michigan, and 1,075 in Wisconsin, with a margin of error between 2.7% and 3.3%.