Vice President Kamala Harris, who is set to become the Democratic presidential nominee, is experiencing a surge in popularity, according to recent polls. Two separate surveys published this week show a significant increase in her favorability and job approval ratings.
Gallup’s August poll, conducted between August 1-20, revealed that Harris’s favorability rating jumped 13 percentage points since June to 47%. Her job approval rating also climbed seven points from December 2023 to 47%. This marks her second-highest favorability rating in Gallup polling, trailing only the 53% she received in January 2021 shortly after President Joe Biden took office. Notably, Democrats overwhelmingly support Harris, and independents also hold a positive view of her.
Gallup attributes this rise in popularity to the consolidation of Democratic support behind Harris after President Biden’s endorsement. This, according to Gallup, has dramatically shifted the dynamics of the race.
Meanwhile, President Biden’s favorability rating remains low at 40%, although it has improved slightly from 37% in June. This improvement may be due to his party members supporting his decision to step down from the presidential race. Republican nominee Donald Trump’s favorability rating, on the other hand, has declined five points to 41%.
Despite Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race, his job approval rating has improved seven points since July to 43%. However, it remains at 48%, the lowest on record for an incumbent seeking a second term. His approval rating among Democrats has risen eight points to 89%, while his approval among independents has increased six points to 37%.
Beyond national polls, Harris is showing strength even in traditionally Republican states. A poll conducted by the University of Houston and Texas Southern University between August 5-16 showed Harris trailing Trump by only a slight margin in Texas. Trump garnered 49.5% support from likely voters in Texas, while Harris received 44.6%.
This tight race in Texas underscores Harris’s growing appeal across different demographics. While Trump leads among men by 18 percentage points, Harris holds a six-point lead among women. Among white Texans, Trump holds a lead, but Harris enjoys strong support among Black Texans and Gen Z voters.
The upcoming months will be crucial in determining whether Harris can maintain this momentum and convert her rising favorability into electoral success. Her nomination acceptance speech and the first presidential debate will be critical in shaping public opinion and influencing voter sentiment in the final stretch of the campaign.
