In the wake of President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race, US Vice President Kamala Harris has emerged with a narrow lead over former President Donald Trump in a new national poll. Released on Tuesday, the Reuters/Ipsos survey shows Harris with 44% support compared to Trump’s 42%. This marks a shift from the previous week's poll, which had both candidates tied at 44%.
Biden's exit from the race and endorsement of Harris, announced on Sunday, appears to have influenced the current polling dynamics. In his statement, Biden urged Democrats to unite behind Harris, saying, "Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump."
Despite Harris's slight lead, another poll released on the same day shows Trump edging out Harris with 46% to her 45% in the PBS News/NPR/Marist survey. This poll also indicates a tight race when third-party candidates are considered, with both Trump and Harris tied at 42%.
The PBS News survey highlights that 87% of Americans believe Biden’s decision to step down was the right move, with 41% thinking it improves the Democrats' chances of winning in November. In contrast, 24% believe it reduces their odds, and 34% feel it makes no difference.
These polls follow recent political events, including the Republican National Convention where Trump accepted the party’s nomination, and the recent assassination attempt on Trump during a Pennsylvania rally on July 13.
As the race continues, the polls suggest a highly competitive contest between Harris and Trump, with both candidates closely vying for voter support in an increasingly dynamic political landscape.