Donald Trump kicked off his campaign push with back-to-back rallies on October 9, 2024, strategically targeting Pennsylvania—an important battleground state with deep significance for both contenders. This campaign stop came during the final stretch of the presidential race, as Trump and his team made clear the commonwealth could very well determine the outcome of the election.
At rallies held in Scranton and Reading, Trump aimed to sway blue-collar voters and reclaim ground he lost during the 2020 election. Notably, this marked his fourth visit to Pennsylvania since early September, evidenced by the enthusiastic crowds he gathered, particularly at the locations significant to his opponent. Scranton is famously the hometown of President Biden, which adds layers of political drama to Trump's approach.
During his remarks, Trump took aim at Vice President Kamala Harris, aggressively critiquing her policies on energy and costs. He centered his comments on issues pertinent to Pennsylvania's economy by mentioning the importance of fracking, claiming Harris has been detrimental to the state's energy industry. "If Kamala Harris gets four more years, she will annihilate the Pennsylvania energy industry, plunging communities across this commonwealth..." Trump declared at his rally. His statements reflect the vehement divisions surrounding energy policy, especially as Pennsylvania is known for both its traditional coal mining and growing natural gas production.
The stakes are high for Trump, as he won Pennsylvania by less than 70,000 votes during the 2016 election but lost it to Biden by roughly 80,000 votes four years later. The state’s significance is underscored by current polling dynamics. A recent Quinnipiac University poll indicated Harris holding a slight lead at 49 percent compared to Trump’s 46 percent among likely voters, signaling how close the upcoming election may be.
Key campaign advisors for Trump suggest focusing on working-class areas like Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Reading to drive higher voter turnout and establish stronger margins, particularly since these locales previously supported him. David Urban, a Pennsylvania native and advisor to Trump, expressed optimism on Trump’s chances now with Biden out of the race entirely, considering how closely woven Biden's identity is with Pennsylvania.
While Trump focused on energy and economic issues at his rallies, Harris has been raising significant funds for her campaign, reporting over $1 billion raised within less than three months of declaring her candidacy. This successful fundraising effort outpaces Trump’s overall fundraising for the year 2024, illustrating the competitive financial stakes involved.
During the rallies, Trump assured his supporters of his administration's ability to achieve energy independence, criticizing recent increases in energy costs under Biden and Harris’s leadership. “On day one I will tell Pennsylvania energy workers to frack, frack, frack,” he said, echoing slogans reminiscent of his past campaigns, rallying supporters around the idea of returning to former policies he claims once made the U.S. energy independent.
While Trump was on the campaign trail, Harris continued to navigate the media and public perception with numerous interviews aimed at increasing her visibility and addressing any voter uncertainty about her platform. Notably, she presented proposals aimed at improving Medicare and tackling economic issues head-on, signaling her party's focus on health care as another pivotal topic leading up to the election.
Both candidates now confront the challenge of addressing undecided voters. Harris often finds herself parrying media questions head-on, carefully selecting her words on sensitive issues, including her stance on Israel and economic proposals. This tactical approach aims to resonate with younger, more diverse demographics, who have been identified as key undecided voters.
With the clock ticking down to Election Day, strategists for both sides are surveying the state's electoral map, analyzing voting behaviors and trends to determine how to mobilize their bases effectively. The tight race suggests there will be no shortage of campaign activity as both candidates press on for support, particularly from the working-class demographic so prevalent throughout Pennsylvania.
The intense competition reflects the broader trends of this election year, wherein any slight shift could dramatically affect outcomes. While Trump's prior connection to the state provides him with historical leverage, Harris's considerable fundraising capacity and continued outreach are setting the stage for what has been dubbed the ‘make-or-break’ election battle for Pennsylvania and potentially the nation.
Whether Trump’s rallies can surpass Harris’s financial prowess and appealing urban focus remains to be seen, but one thing's clear: voters will play the ultimate role, and both candidates are ready to fight for their choice.
