Harris approval rating/ Trump favorability ratings/ 2024 election polls/ Harris vs Trump/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ Kamala Harris is viewed more favorably by voters since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee, according to a new AP-NORC poll. Around half of voters now have a positive view of her, up slightly since July. Former President Donald Trump’s ratings remain mostly unchanged, with 60% holding unfavorable views. Both candidates are competing for support in what is expected to be a tight race.
Harris Sees Rising Favorability in New AP Poll: Quick Looks
- Harris’ Favorability Increases: Voters are warming up to Kamala Harris, with 50% expressing positive views of her.
- Trump’s Ratings Hold Steady: Despite recent events, 60% of voters still view Trump unfavorably.
- Election Impact: Harris leads in likability and voters’ belief that she would be a good president.
- Key Independent Votes: Harris slightly edges out Trump in favorability among independents, though many remain undecided.
Harris’ Favorability Rises as She Settles into Role as Dem Nominee: AP Poll
Deep Look:
Kamala Harris is making steady gains in voter approval as she continues to adjust to her role as the Democratic nominee for president, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Since taking over from President Joe Biden in July, the vice president has seen a slight uptick in favorability among voters. About half of respondents now view her somewhat or very positively, while 44% hold unfavorable opinions—a shift from the earlier poll, which showed her favorability ratings leaning slightly negative.
By contrast, former President Donald Trump’s approval ratings have remained relatively stable, with 60% of voters holding a somewhat or very unfavorable view of the Republican nominee. This poll was conducted before an apparent assassination attempt on Trump, which could impact future ratings.
A Favorability Edge for Harris
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the polling results show Harris with a slight advantage in terms of favorability. The poll highlights that voters are becoming more comfortable with the idea of Harris in the top job, with around half of those surveyed saying she would make a good president. By comparison, only 36% of voters feel the same about Trump.
Lillian Dunsmuir, a 58-year-old real estate agent from Bullhead City, Arizona, is one of those voters who has been impressed with Harris in recent months. “She’s funny. I think she’s very smart. She can speak well,” Dunsmuir said, adding that Harris’s stance on abortion rights resonated with her.
For Trump, who has faced a range of legal and political challenges this year—including a felony conviction and close call with an attacker—his favorability numbers have remained stagnant. The Republican nominee continues to poll similarly to how he did during both the 2016 and 2020 elections, suggesting that voters’ views on him are firmly entrenched.
Independent Voters Hold the Key
One of the most critical battlegrounds for both candidates is the independent vote. Harris appears to have an advantage here, with the poll showing that independents view her more favorably than Trump. However, many independents are still undecided, with 3 in 10 saying they don’t know enough about Harris to determine whether she would make a good president. For Trump, only 1 in 10 independents expressed similar uncertainty, highlighting that opinions about him are far more set in stone.
This indecision among independents leaves room for Harris to gain ground in the coming months, as she works to solidify her base and expand her appeal to swing voters. Filip Jotevski, Harris’s campaign liaison for ethnic and diaspora communities, noted the importance of swaying independents, especially in key states.
Mixed Views on Trump
The survey highlights that while Harris has room to gain support, voters’ opinions on Trump have mostly solidified. More than 6 in 10 respondents described Trump as someone who “will say anything to win the election.” In contrast, fewer voters applied this phrase to Harris.
On the flip side, 40% of voters said Harris would “fight for people like me,” a phrase more commonly associated with her than Trump. This perceived connection with everyday people may help her shore up support among working-class voters and marginalized communities.
“I think she really understands,” said Chanda Harcourt, a Harris supporter from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Harcourt praised Harris for addressing critical issues like affordable child care and housing. “She really has a grip on it.”
A Leadership Debate
Both Harris and Trump have been painted as tough enough for the presidency, with similar numbers of voters expressing confidence in their leadership capabilities. However, Trump still garners support from those who believe his no-nonsense approach is what the country needs. Pat Brumfield, a 71-year-old West Virginia resident, said she supported Trump’s leadership style, which she described as strong and decisive.
“I think we need it,” Brumfield said. “After almost four years of Biden barely getting around, I think it’s put a black eye on the whole nation.”
Despite Brumfield’s support for Trump, the poll shows that Democratic voters have a more favorable view of their candidate than Republicans do of Trump. Nine in 10 Democrats have a somewhat or very favorable opinion of Harris, while only 8 in 10 Republicans feel the same about Trump.
Lingering Polarization
Voters on both sides of the aisle remain deeply divided over the election. Many respondents are not optimistic that the 2024 election will bridge the polarization that has gripped the country for years. Sean Luebbers, a history teacher from California, expressed skepticism that Harris—or any candidate, for that matter—could heal the divisions. “I don’t see Harris solving that,” he said. “Right now, you might call it triage. We can’t make things worse.”
While voters remain polarized, the poll underscores that Harris’s ability to connect with the American electorate is steadily improving. Her growing favorability, particularly among independents, may be key to clinching a victory in a race where every vote will matter. As the election nears, both Harris and Trump will continue to jockey for position in the minds of undecided voters, with Harris seemingly holding an edge in likability and voter confidence.
Conclusion
With Harris’s favorability on the rise and Trump’s numbers holding steady, the 2024 election remains fiercely competitive. Both candidates will need to continue working to solidify their bases and win over undecided voters, particularly in battleground states. For Harris, the key challenge will be maintaining her momentum and persuading independents to rally behind her. Meanwhile, Trump must find a way to expand his appeal beyond his loyal core of supporters.
