The final hours of the US presidential election saw a dramatic showdown in Pennsylvania, a crucial battleground state, as both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris campaigned for the final time on Monday. The race is remarkably tight, with opinion polls showing a virtual tie between the two candidates.
Trump, who is seeking a second term after losing the 2020 election to Joe Biden, focused on economic themes in his final speech in Pittsburgh. He promised voters that a vote for him would mean lower grocery prices, higher wages, safer streets, and a brighter future.
Meanwhile, Harris, aiming to become the first female US president, rallied support in Allentown by appealing to the city’s sizable Puerto Rican community. She pledged to be a president for all Americans, expressing empathy for the community’s outrage following insults from a comedian at a Trump rally last week.
Both candidates spent the day engaging with voters, with Harris visiting a Puerto Rican restaurant in Reading and going door-to-door, while Trump urged supporters to vote on Election Day in his Pittsburgh speech. The race for Pennsylvania’s Electoral College votes is particularly intense, as it holds the largest share of votes among the seven battleground states expected to decide the election’s outcome.
The outcome of the election could be delayed for days as officials count votes, and Trump has already indicated he will challenge any defeat, similar to his actions in 2020.
Despite the uncertainty, both campaigns are projecting optimism. Harris’ team highlighted the strong early voting numbers among their core supporters, including young voters and voters of color. They also pointed to internal data suggesting undecided voters are leaning towards Harris.
Trump’s campaign, on the other hand, is emphasizing the high turnout among women voters, a demographic where Harris holds a significant lead. They are also buoyed by strong early voting numbers in key states like North Carolina, Nevada, and Georgia.
The campaigns’ strategies are rooted in their respective strengths and weaknesses. Harris’ team is focusing on voter mobilization, while Trump’s campaign is emphasizing outreach to less reliable voters.
The election is also being overshadowed by the ongoing controversy surrounding Trump’s 2020 defeat. Trump and his allies have repeatedly made false claims of widespread voter fraud, and he has already begun laying the groundwork to challenge the results if he loses this election.
With the race so close, the final hours of campaigning in Pennsylvania will likely be remembered as a tense and unpredictable climax to a heated election cycle. The outcome of the election will not only determine the next president of the United States but will also shape the future of American politics for years to come.
