Polish-American election swing/ Ukraine war in 2024 election/ Polish-American voter outreach/ Newslooks/ HARRISBURG/ Pa./ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Vice President Kamala Harris aims to leverage Polish Americans’ historical animosity toward Russia, criticizing Donald Trump’s hesitancy on backing Ukraine during the war. As both candidates seek to win critical votes in battleground states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, Harris stressed the importance of supporting Ukraine to deter Russian aggression. Meanwhile, Trump focused on immigration and his relationship with Poland’s President Andrzej Duda during a visit to a Polish-American shrine in Pennsylvania.
Harris Courts Polish American Votes with Focus on Ukraine: Quick Looks
- Harris Criticizes Trump: Harris denounced Trump’s hesitancy to back Ukraine, urging support for the Eastern European nation.
- Trump on the Offensive: Trump emphasized his hardline immigration stance while rallying support in Uniondale, New York.
- Battleground Strategy: Both candidates are focusing on Polish-American voters in swing states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
- Polish Concerns: Polish Americans expressed worry about Trump’s ties with Vladimir Putin and the potential risks to Poland.
Trump Assures Anti-Immigration Stance, Harris Courts Polish American Votes
Deep Look:
Vice President Kamala Harris is increasing efforts to attract Polish-American voters as she campaigns against Donald Trump in a tight 2024 presidential election. In a bid to secure votes in key swing states, Harris is focusing on the ongoing war in Ukraine, a topic deeply resonant with the Polish-American community, given their historical enmity toward Russia. She contrasted her firm stance on supporting Ukraine with Trump’s more hesitant approach, positioning the issue as a key differentiator between the two campaigns.
Speaking at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s leadership conference, Harris sharply criticized Trump’s promise to carry out the largest deportation effort in U.S. history, while also emphasizing her dedication to securing the border and creating a pathway to citizenship. “We can do both, and we must do both,” she said, targeting a balance between strict border controls and humane immigration policies.
Trump’s Rally and Polish Outreach
At the same time, Trump held a rally in Uniondale, Long Island, where he railed against illegal immigration and accused Democratic leadership of allowing the country’s fabric to deteriorate. “We’re just destroying the fabric of life in our country. And we’re not going to take it any longer,” Trump said to an enthusiastic crowd.
While immigration dominated Trump’s speech, he is also working to shore up Polish-American support by visiting a Polish-American shrine in Pennsylvania, which could help him reconnect with a demographic that supported him in 2016 but leaned towards Biden in 2020.
Ukraine Becomes a Key Campaign Issue
The importance of Eastern Europe, and particularly the war in Ukraine, has come to the forefront in the race. During the Sept. 10 debate in Philadelphia, Trump’s reluctance to explicitly back Ukraine drew criticism. Trump repeatedly refused to say whether he wanted Ukraine to win the war, instead urging for a negotiated peace to stop the loss of human lives. “Negotiate a deal,” he said.
In contrast, Harris asserted that Trump’s return to the presidency would embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin. “If Donald Trump had been president when the invasion took place, Putin would be sitting in Kyiv with his eyes on the rest of Europe,” Harris claimed, hoping to appeal to Polish Americans concerned about the geopolitical implications of Russia’s aggression.
Polish-American Reactions
Many Polish Americans took notice of the candidates’ remarks on Ukraine, with some expressing appreciation for Harris’s knowledge of their community’s concerns. Tony Pol, a 67-year-old retired fire chief from Erie, Pennsylvania, said Harris’s remarks about Ukraine resonated with him, noting the fear that if Ukraine fell, Poland could be next. “I think that’s the concern of everybody — if Ukraine goes down, then Poland goes next, and that’s very concerning.”
Gosia Dodi, a Polish-American living in Michigan, agreed with Harris’s position on Russia. She noted that Trump’s favorable stance toward Putin was dangerous for Poland, and emphasized the importance of standing by Ukraine.
Others, however, remain divided. John Laka, a Polish-American from Wisconsin, voiced doubts about Harris’s leadership abilities, saying he lacked confidence in her as a potential president. Still, he acknowledged that the threat of Russian aggression remains, stressing the importance of deterrence in U.S. foreign policy.
Trump’s Advantage Among Some Polish-Americans
Despite some concerns about his approach to Eastern Europe, Trump still maintains significant support within parts of the Polish-American community. Many Polish-Americans have historically leaned conservative, with strong ties to Catholicism and traditional values. Trump’s 2016 victory was bolstered by these voters, and he continues to find backing among more conservative members of the community, like Tom Kolano of suburban Pittsburgh. Kolano said he felt confident that Trump would not abandon Ukraine and noted that Polish President Andrzej Duda, who once suggested naming a military base in his country “Fort Trump,” had a close relationship with the former president.
Kolano believes Poland’s involvement in U.S. foreign policy will ensure continued support for Ukraine, stating, “I’m not worried that President Trump will abandon Ukraine. Poland will have a lot to say about that.”
Harris’s Focus on Swing States
Harris’s increased engagement with the Polish-American community comes as Democrats recognize the group’s importance in key battleground states. Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin — all critical to a potential Harris victory — are home to significant populations of Polish descent. Harris’s team is working to ensure that voters in these states hear her message loud and clear. On Wednesday, her campaign organized a national call with Polish-American supporters, encouraging local events and voter outreach to spread the word.
Polish-American voters, while not as numerous as some other ethnic groups, could play a crucial role in deciding the outcome of the election. In close races where a few thousand votes can make all the difference, capturing this demographic’s support could prove decisive.
A Shifting Political Landscape
Polish-American voters have not been consistent in their support of either major party. They backed Trump in 2016, but many shifted to Biden in 2020. Harris’s campaign is hoping to capitalize on this by highlighting Trump’s uncertain stance on Ukraine and raising questions about his relationship with Putin. Meanwhile, Trump is emphasizing his past support for Poland and his partnership with Duda, hoping to regain their trust and repeat his success in 2016.
Conclusion
With both Harris and Trump courting Polish-American voters in swing states, the battle over foreign policy and U.S. support for Ukraine could become a central issue in the final weeks of the 2024 campaign. For Harris, the goal is clear: highlight Trump’s hesitancy on Ukraine and present herself as the more reliable protector of Polish and European security. For Trump, the challenge is to reassure voters that his commitment to U.S. allies in Eastern Europe remains strong while focusing on his broader message of immigration reform and law and order.
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