With the presidential election just hours away, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump intensified their campaigns, making their final pitches to voters across Pennsylvania. This battleground state, known for its pivotal role with its 19 electoral votes, became the focal point for both candidates as they sought to energize their supporters on November 4, 2024.
Harris kicked off her busy day with stops at resident homes in Reading, Pennsylvania, where she connected with locals personally. During one visit, she shook hands with enthusiastic voters and expressed her desire to earn their support. One resident mentioned they were already planning to help at the polls on Election Day, highlighting the grassroots energy motivating both candidates.
Later, she rallied crowds at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, where excitement buzzed as supporters queued early for the chance to hear her speak. Emphasizing unity, she noted, "I will be a president for all Americans," deliberately steering clear of mentioning Trump by name during several events. This approach was seemingly aimed at cultivating a message of inclusiveness as she concluded her campaign.
The day culminated at the historic Carrie Blast Furnaces venue, where Harris delivered her remarks against the backdrop of Pittsburgh's industrial past. Approximately 8,000 people attended as stars like Lady Gaga and Oprah took the stage, transforming the event not just political but also celebratory. The rally's location served as both a literal and metaphorical nod to the working-class roots central to her campaign's appeal.
On the other hand, Trump’s whirlwind day included significant stops at Reading and Pittsburgh — both key cities for his Republican base. At the PPG Paints Arena, he whipped his supporters, many dressed in red, white, and blue, by delivering what his campaign termed the "closing message" of his campaign. Expounding his platform, Trump encouraged votes for change, pointing to issues like inflation and immigration as his central themes.
The atmosphere at Trump's rally was energetic, as he revisited ideas he championed during previous campaign cycles. He asserted, with characteristic bravado, "We do not have to settle for weakness, incompetence, decline, and decay" as he painted a picture of America needing to regain its prowess on various fronts. He made controversial assertions about voter fraud, which were met with cheers but drew widespread criticism for their lack of evidence.
According to recent polling data, the race was exceptionally tight, with some surveys indicating the candidates nearly tied among likely voters. An Ipsos national poll published shortly before the election revealed Harris at 50% and Trump at 48%. Voters articulated different priorities, favoring Harris on healthcare and Trump on economic issues, illustrating the sharp divisions manifesting across the electorate.
JD Vance, Senator and Trump supporter, also made headlines during the day, rallying the crowd by urging them to send Harris packing from Washington. With his fiery rhetoric, he chimed, "Tomorrow, we're going to say to Kamala Harris, you are fired!" This echoed the sentiments shared at other rallies where Trump’s core supporters were animated about returning him to the White House.
Though each candidate prepared for potential success, both were also mindful of the stakes. Harris urged constituents to take action and focus on the future, promoting her vision for America as one of unity and progress. Meanwhile, Trump’s camp set up significant contingents of lawyers and poll watchers to monitor the voting process, intensifying pre-election anxieties about electoral integrity.
Across various events, attendees were vocal about their hopes and concerns. The palpable tension was evident as supporters of both candidates passionately advocated for their chosen leaders, demonstrating the stakes of the upcoming election. For many, these final rallies encapsulated the essence of the campaign season, as voters prep for what could be one of the most consequential elections yet.
Law enforcement was out in heavy presence to manage the crowds and any potential unrest, especially considering the atmosphere surrounding past elections. Harris’s major rally at Benjamin Franklin Parkway had already instituted comprehensive DUI checkpoints and road closures to facilitate safety and access. Local authorities had prepared for the anticipated turnout as both campaigns sought to leave no stone unturned.
Despite their separate paths throughout the day, both candidates demonstrated how the state of Pennsylvania remains pivotal not just for electoral votes but as the heartbeat of American electors — dependent on blue-collar support, suburban votes, and generational shifts within communities across the state. Both Harris and Trump are banking on their messages of hope and change, rallying their bases as they head toward the finish line. Pennsylvania’s voters stand at the ready, armed with the power to decide the next chapter of national leadership, as the entire country watches closely.
With Election Day on the horizon, the suspense remains palpable. Harris and Trump both remain before enthusiastic crowds, yet the outcomes will depend on engaged voters determining the fate of the nation.
Regardless of who emerges victorious, one thing is clear: the 2024 presidential election is set to leave its mark, and Pennsylvania is undeniably at the center of it all.
