Washington (Web Desk/Agencies): US Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump on Thursday kicked off a pivotal phase of their election campaigns in western states, zeroing in on border security and striving to win over vital Latino voters just days ahead of the election.
In a high-profile event in Las Vegas, pop superstar Jennifer Lopez will be on hand to support Harris, while Trump is set to participate in an interview with former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson in Arizona, followed by a rally in Nevada.
Recent controversies have complicated both campaigns. Harris capitalized on an offensive comment made by a comedian at a Trump rally regarding Puerto Rico, receiving endorsements from celebrities such as Lopez, Bad Bunny, and Ricky Martin.
However, she soon found herself defending against backlash after President Biden appeared to label Trump supporters in an unflattering manner, prompting her to emphasize her disagreement with disparaging voters based on their political affiliations.
Trump wasted no time in leveraging Biden’s misstep, staging a publicity stunt by climbing into a garbage truck during a visit to Wisconsin. He is also making an unexpected stop in New Mexico, despite polls indicating that Harris is favored to win in that state.
As both candidates traverse the West, their objective is to appeal to Hispanic voters and address the pressing issue of immigration.
Trump aims to tap into frustrations with the Biden administration's policies in hopes of reclaiming Arizona, a state he lost to Biden in 2020.
Historically, Latino voters have leaned toward Democrats, but recent polling reveals a noticeable shift toward Republican support. The latest New York Times/Siena poll shows Harris leading with 52% among Hispanic voters compared to Trump’s 42%.
This weekend, both candidates will converge in North Carolina as part of their strategy to engage with battleground states, with Harris also slated to visit Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania ahead of Election Day.
In Wisconsin, she delivered a powerful message of unity, urging citizens to rise above divisive politics and come together.
Meanwhile, Trump, facing legal challenges stemming from the 2016 election, is anticipated to contest the election results if he loses, employing common verification processes to bolster claims of widespread “cheating.”
With over 57 million Americans having already cast their ballots through early or mail-in voting, this figure accounts for more than a third of the total votes cast in 2020.