Trump Leads Over Harris in Key States as Vote Count Continues
Donald Trump extends his lead over Kamala Harris in key battlegrounds. Harris focuses on Blue Wall states as markets respond to potential Trump victory.
Republican nominee Donald Trump has gained a lead over Democrat Kamala Harris as the race for the White House reaches its final stretch. With votes still being counted, Trump has secured North Carolina, a key state, and holds an edge in Georgia with over 90% of the ballots in. He’s also ahead, though narrowly, in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania—the critical "Blue Wall" states that could still swing the results.
Markets Respond to Trump's Lead
Trump’s edge in these states has stirred the financial markets, with investors betting on a Republican victory. The S&P 500 rose by 1.2%, and U.S. Treasury yields jumped, with the 10-year reaching a high of 4.44%. Bitcoin saw a boost as well, climbing nearly 7%, as markets anticipated a Trump win might bring investor-friendly policies but with higher interest rates.
Harris’ Path Narrows in Democratic Strongholds
While none of the Blue Wall states have been officially called, Harris’ campaign remains focused on winning big in the cities and suburbs where Democrats tend to do well. Her team has zeroed in on counties in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, hoping they can close the gap.
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In a memo to staff, Harris' campaign chair, Jennifer O'Malley Dillon, said, "Our clearest path to 270 electoral votes lies in the Blue Wall states." The memo didn’t rule out other paths, but the focus is on pulling in support from Democratic-heavy areas that are still counting votes.
Mixed Results in Senate and House Races
Early results in other races went mostly as expected, with Republicans flipping a Senate seat in West Virginia. However, many key races, which could determine control of Congress, are still too close to call. Trump won Florida, including several Hispanic-majority counties, an area where his campaign has focused much of its outreach.
Harris, meanwhile, easily won traditional Democratic states like New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Polls have closed in major battlegrounds, including Arizona, Nevada, and Pennsylvania, though some locations extended voting hours due to earlier issues.
In Maryland, Democrat Angela Alsobrooks won her Senate race against former Republican governor Larry Hogan, while in Texas, Senator Ted Cruz was re-elected.
Economy and Costs on Voters' Minds
Exit polls showed that economic concerns were a top priority for many voters. About half of all voters surveyed said they were very worried about gas prices, and over 50% said they were anxious about housing costs. Only 26% felt positively about the direction the country is heading, while a striking 72% said they were unhappy or even angry. President Biden’s approval rating reflects these sentiments, currently sitting at 41%.
Trump’s Confident Outlook and Harris’ Campaign Efforts
Trump cast his vote in Palm Beach, Florida, with former First Lady Melania Trump at his side, and later thanked campaign staff. He expressed confidence in his chances but urged supporters to stay in line to ensure all votes are counted. Harris, who voted by mail earlier this week, spent election day reaching out to battleground state voters and joined volunteers for a phone-banking session at the Democratic National Committee’s headquarters.
Trump noted potential delays in Pennsylvania’s results, acknowledging that counting votes in the state may take longer. Election officials in Georgia extended voting hours at some locations after brief disruptions due to fake bomb threats, which the FBI later linked to foreign email domains.
Record Spending in a Historic Election
The 2024 race has been one of the most contentious and closely watched in U.S. history. President Biden, choosing not to run for re-election, marked the first time in more than 50 years that an incumbent president stepped down after a single term.
Harris, who joined the race in July, is making history as the first Black woman and Asian American nominee for the presidency. Throughout her campaign, she has positioned herself as a voice for change and argued that a Trump presidency would threaten democracy. Her team has emphasized her goals to turn the page on past controversies surrounding Trump.
If Trump wins, it would mark a unique return to the White House after a turbulent first term. His supporters have largely rallied around him, seeing him as a fighter who remains strong despite legal issues.
Unprecedented Spending and High Voter Turnout
This year’s election has seen a record $14.8 billion in campaign spending, with donations coming from across the country, including small-dollar supporters and prominent donors. Billionaire Elon Musk, a vocal Trump backer, is expected to join him at his Mar-a-Lago residence on election night.
Harris, meanwhile, is expected to watch results from Howard University, her alma mater, in Washington, D.C. The Trump campaign has planned a watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center, where supporters will gather to await final results.
Congress in the Balance
In addition to the presidential race, the outcome of Senate and House elections will play a major role in shaping the next administration’s power. Several key races are still ongoing, with control of Congress likely to impact how much the next president can accomplish. Polls suggest that neither party is likely to win full control, meaning the next president may face limits in enacting new policies.
In North Carolina, Democrat Josh Stein won the governor’s race over Republican Mark Robinson, whose inflammatory comments had brought national attention during his campaign. In the Senate, Vermont’s Bernie Sanders won another term as an independent, while in West Virginia, Republican Jim Justice won the seat formerly held by Joe Manchin.
The 2024 election has brought record-breaking attention and interest, with the economy, healthcare, and foreign policy among the top concerns for voters. As the vote count continues, both candidates are counting on their core supporters and hoping to win over undecided voters in this historic contest.
