During a CNN segment on Tuesday, political analyst John King discussed why former President Donald Trump appears to be gaining an advantage over Vice President Kamala Harris in several key battleground states.
King highlighted that many voters continue to see Trump as the stronger candidate on the economy, which remains a top concern for the electorate, as it has been throughout previous election cycles, including when President Joe Biden was in the race.
“The economy is the top issue in all three states—Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina—though the margin isn’t huge, with 26%, 28%, and 25% of voters respectively prioritizing it. Immigration ranks second in Arizona, while abortion and immigration trade places for second and third in the other states,” King explained.
He further detailed how the candidates align with these key issues. “Economy and immigration are traditionally Trump’s strong points, while abortion is more aligned with Harris. When voters were asked which candidate they trust most on their top issue—be it the economy or something else—Trump came out ahead in all three states.”
King continued, “Though it’s a narrow margin, Trump leads in Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina when it comes to the generic top-issue question. Voters are saying, ‘He’s the best fit for my priority issue.'”
King emphasized the significance of these results, particularly regarding the economy. “We know the economy is the number one issue. In this poll—though it’s just one—Trump leads by 14 points in Arizona, 12 points in Georgia, and 13 points in North Carolina. This is a consistent problem for Harris, as Trump has a clear advantage on the economy.”
Recent polling by The New York Times and Siena College suggests that Trump has gained momentum, with the “enthusiasm gap” Harris previously enjoyed diminishing. According to the poll, Trump leads Harris by five points in Arizona (50-45%), as well as in Georgia (49-45%) and North Carolina (49-47%).
The Times noted that the polling, conducted from Sept. 17 to 21, indicated that the race is shaping up to be one of the tightest in history. Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina are part of the seven critical battleground states where both campaigns have focused their efforts since Labor Day.
While Harris has shown strength in key Midwestern states, particularly Pennsylvania, Arizona is proving to be a challenging state for her campaign. A previous August poll showed Harris leading in Arizona by five points, but Latino voter support is wavering, with 10% of that demographic still undecided.
Trump is also benefiting from ticket-splitting in Arizona. Although Harris trails Trump, Democratic Senate candidate Rep. Reuben Gallego currently leads GOP nominee Kari Lake.
The Times noted that voters in these battleground states expressed concern for both their personal futures and the nation’s direction. Tyler Stembridge, a 41-year-old fire captain from Centerville, Georgia, voiced his worries, saying, “The path we’re on doesn’t seem like it will end well.” A Republican who voted for Trump in 2020, he plans to support him again.