As Labor Day rolls around, both presidential campaigns are zeroing in on the American workforce with the election clock ticking down to just 65 days. This is a crucial period for both candidates as they push their messages to swing voters in key battleground states.
In a bit of a campaign pause, neither candidate has hit the trail since Thursday. Former President Donald Trump has been laying low in Pottersville, Michigan, while Vice President Kamala Harris has been in Savannah, Georgia. However, Harris is set to make a big move on Monday with a trip to Detroit, where she’ll be joining President Joe Biden in Pittsburgh. The Democrats are strategically focusing their efforts on reaching working-class voters in crucial battleground states. Harris’ last campaign appearance in Michigan was on July 17 in Portage, during the GOP Convention in Milwaukee.
Trump, on the other hand, is skipping the road trips for now but plans to connect with current and retired members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) through a video call. The UAW, which has thrown its support behind Harris, boasts nearly a million members, including about 134,000 in Michigan alone. This union's endorsement is a significant boost in the battleground state. The Teamsters Union, which has around 1.4 million members, is still on the fence. They're waiting for a private meeting with Harris before making their endorsement decision in this razor-tight race.
Trump’s last on-the-ground campaign stop was at Alro Steel in Pottersville, Michigan, close to Lansing, the state capital. That event marked his eighth visit to Michigan this year—a state that's proven to be both pivotal and unpredictable. As the campaign season heats up, Memorial Day traditionally marks the unofficial start of the final stretch, and with Biden's recent withdrawal and Harris stepping into the Democratic spotlight, the 2024 race is expected to be particularly fierce.
Just like in 2020, this year’s election could hinge on a few key swing states. Trump is revisiting the upper Midwest states that helped him clinch victory in 2016 but were also the same ones that contributed to his defeat in 2020. This strategy highlights how critical these states are to his campaign’s success.
Looking ahead to this Saturday, Trump has a rally scheduled in Mosinee, Wisconsin—a small city in central Wisconsin. It's a sign of his commitment to connecting with voters in pivotal regions. In North Carolina, where the first ballots will be mailed out this Friday, Harris’ running mate, Tim Walz, has been actively campaigning. Last week, Walz was seen at the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights, a suburb of St. Paul.
Walz made an interesting point during his campaign stop in Raleigh, saying, "Very difficult for a Republican presidential candidate to win the White House if they can't win North Carolina." This statement underscores the importance of North Carolina in the overall election strategy. Early in-person voting will kick off in Minnesota, South Dakota, and Virginia two weeks later, making these states critical for both campaigns.
In addition to her focus on key states, Harris’ campaign has been investing heavily in Georgia. They've poured over $1.7 million into advertising in the Savannah media market, reflecting their commitment to making inroads in the Peach State. Despite these efforts, Harris is still considered an underdog in the race, with polls showing a tight contest.
The upcoming week will be pivotal for both campaigns as they balance their time between hitting the campaign trail and preparing for the upcoming debate on September 10 in Philadelphia. With abortion rights becoming a major issue in the election, Harris’ "Fighting for Reproductive Freedom" bus tour is set to launch on Tuesday in Palm Beach, Florida, where Trump resides. This tour represents a key element of Harris' strategy to galvanize voters on this critical issue.
As the campaigns continue to ramp up their efforts, the focus on workers and key battleground states will be crucial in determining the outcome of this high-stakes election. Both candidates are working tirelessly to sway voters and secure their support as the November election approaches.
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