Pennsylvania is once again at the center of the political universe as 2024 presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump intensify their campaigns within its borders. With 19 electoral votes on the line, it’s no surprise to see both leading candidates making stop after stop across this pivotal swing state.
The stakes are high, and polling suggests it’s still anybody’s game. Recent surveys show a dead heat between Harris and Trump, which could change as voters cast their ballots. Both candidates are fighting for the allegiance of undecided voters, particularly those who fall within the moderate spectrum.
Recently, at the heart of the discussion about the 2024 election is Ryan Sanders, president of the Erie-Crawford Central Labor Council. Sanders' views exemplify the complexity of voter sentiment, especially among union members—a demographic traditionally aligned with the Democratic Party. Sanders is described as “middle of the road,” and he, like many Pennsylvania voters, seeks authenticity and honesty from the candidates vying for his support.
Despite the Democratic Party’s historical ties to labor unions, support for Democratic candidates among union members has dwindled in recent years. Detailed exit polling revealed only 49% of union households backed Biden over Trump during the 2020 election, compared to stronger numbers for Democrats seen previously. This stands as caution for the Harris campaign, which sees union voters as strategic allies to secure victory.
Harris’ outreach appears to be focused on regaining ground lost among the swing voters, particularly through appearances alongside moderate Republicans who have shifted their support away from Trump. Harris deliberately acknowledged Union members and their concerns, emphasizing her dedication to protecting workers' rights. “A good economy fuels work, even if we have to fight at the negotiating table,” Sanders remarked, pointing to the impact of legislation and economic policy on individual outcomes for workers.
Efforts by unions to mobilize voters, particularly Harris’ strong base of organized labor, could become key to changing the tide this election. While organizations like the Sheet Metal Workers, and various Labor Councils have endorsed Harris, candidates know substantial work lies ahead to create enthusiasm among rank-and-file union members as election day approaches.
Meanwhile, Trump is not sitting idly by. His campaign has begun to show more interest among suburban districts and independent voters through town halls and direct outreach. Visiting areas like Bucks County and Montgomery County is strategic—not only for its numbers but for the mixing of urban and suburban voting demographics. Many analysts, including those from NBC News, point to these areas as battlegrounds where small margins could cause major upsets.
Historically, these suburban areas have proven to be bellwethers for presidential elections; the trends here are shedding light on the shifting electoral mood across Pennsylvania. The candidates are deploying their surrogates to usual hotspots, with Trump’s campaign setting their ambitions on wooing Hispanic voters, hoping to garner support from this demographic as well.
"We focus on the issues important to working-class families - from education to healthcare, the world we’re building together can be one of wealth and opportunity for everyone; we just need to turn out to vote,” said Harris at her latest event. This message resonates strongly for undecided voters and might just make the difference as the campaign draws to its conclusion.
Harris has also pushed back against the narrative claiming her candidacy is simply a continuation of Biden's presidency, asserting rather her focus is on pro-labor policies and the specifics of her plans should her campaign prove victorious. She believes this focus can sway voters drawn to her capacity to advocate for issues affecting everyday working families—including initiatives on wage growth and healthcare access.
Recent polling data point to subtle shifts as well, showing both Trump and Harris gaining ground among voter groups traditionally loyal to one party or the other. A New York Times poll found Harris is claiming support from 12% of registered Republicans, echoing her strategy to broaden her appeal among moderates. This outreach could be strategic for both Harris and Trump, as it offers insights on what issues resonate with voters outside the standard partisan divide.
Trump’s campaign continues to denounce Harris’ efforts as ineffective, confidently citing historical voting patterns and pointing to their strategy aimed at securing rural voters where Trump's influence still looms. The Trump campaign has heavily criticized both Biden and Harris, accusing them of overstretching their grip on the economy and highlighting areas they claim have worsened under Democratic control—including rising inflation, which has hit working-class families hard.
With the November election just around the corner, as both candidates ramp up their ground game, voters’ preferences are expected to sharpen. Recent trends suggest demographics shifting away from rigid party loyalty, especially evident among millennials and suburban voters echoing concern over local issues, healthcare access, and education—topics each candidate views as potential game-changers.
Strategists on both sides have zeroed in on the importance of Bucks and Montgomery County, where both campaigns have drawn significant attention. Harris has been making swift, targeted visits to connect with these communities, are as both strive to seal their fates in this key election. Grassroots organizations are organizing canvases and phone banks, and turnout will be pivotal.
The candidates are aware they must address voters’ changing expectations—instead of simply restaging prior discussions on healthcare or worker rights, the campaigns are becoming increasingly focused on real, specific outcomes.
Today, social issues are intertwined with economics, and voters are paying attention. For Harris, this may mean balancing the core tenets of Democratic politics against the desires of moderates and even conservative-leaning voters unhappy with their party options. For Trump, it’s fortifying support among his base, knowing his winning margins from the last election need to be extended to maintain his path to victory.
Harris’ campaign, which appears to be gaining traction, is drawing from her outsider’s allyship with moderate Republicans eager to make changes against the current Republican leadership. By sharing personal stories, and touching on themes of survival against the odds—especially amid economic uncertainty—she aims to resonate with voters across demographics.
With both candidates pouring resources and time throughout Pennsylvania, it seems they are already preparing for what may become one of the most competitive and closely watched races. With just weeks to go, the push to mobilize voters and turnout will certainly heighten as the realization sets in—sometimes, this is about more than just winning votes; it’s about whose vision can be realized through the ballots of Pennsylvanians.
