economie

From abortion to fracking, Harris and Trump tailored their message to Pennsylvania. Why the pivotal swing state matters.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, center, has spoken highly of Harris’ campaign strategy across the state.

But now that Harris is in the driver’s seat, her message to women on the issue — pointing to the health consequences that many now face in the wake of near-total abortion bans in some states — is one that led to Democratic electoral success in myriad races in the 2022 midterms and 2023 elections.

In Philadelphia, one of the most thoroughly Democratic states in the country, Harris was already poised to do well — and she’ll need robust support to counteract Trump’s strong support in rural parts of Pennsylvania.

But in Philadelphia’s suburbs — filled with boroughs and townships that were once dominated by the GOP — Democrats have made substantial inroads with voters.

It’s one of the reasons why Biden defeated Trump in the state by one percentage point in 2020. And Harris’ message on abortion is ready-made for this slice of the electorate, filled with the sort of college-educated voters who have turned the inner and outer Philadelphia suburbs into fertile ground for Democrats.

The numbers tell the story

Pennsylvania has 19 electoral votes, which will go a long way for either Harris or Trump as they aim to reach the 270-electoral vote threshold to win the presidency.

From 1992 to 2012, only Democratic presidential nominees carried the state.

And Trump’s 2016 win over former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was by less than one point, as he edged her out by a little over 44,000 votes out of roughly 6.1 million ballots cast.

Both parties foresee another close race in Pennsylvania, and the polling backs it up. In the state’s Real Clear Politics polling average, Harris and Trump are both currently tied at 47.6% support.

So voter outreach will be critical for both candidates.

Trump has been no stranger to rural and exurban parts of the state, while also looking to shave off votes from Democrats in Philadelphia.

Harris, whose campaign began in July after President Joe Biden stepped aside as the Democratic nominee, has had a much shorter window to craft her campaign strategy.

But immediately after Tuesday’s debate, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro made an appearance at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, where he told reporters that Harris was making the case for her presidential bid to voters across the state — and pointed out an upcoming visit to Johnstown.

“She’s showing up in communities that are oftentimes ignored and left behind,” he said. “A lot of times, the national candidates fly over. She understands the importance of showing up in those areas.”

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https://www.businessinsider.com/harris-trump-pennsylvania-presidential-debate-philadelphia-fracking-abortion-2024-9