US: Kamala Harris edges ahead of Trump in new poll ahead of Democratic convention

New Delhi: US Vice President Kamala Harris has taken a slim lead over her Republican opponent Donald Trump in the latest Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll, showing a slight but significant advantage for Democrats as the presidential election nears. Harris currently stands at 49 percent support compared to Trump’s 45 percent. When third-party candidates are factored in, Harris holds 47 percent, with Trump at 44 percent and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at 5 percent.

This latest poll marks a notable shift from July when Trump held a narrow lead with 43 percent over then-presidential nominee Joe Biden, who was at 42 percent, while Kennedy garnered 9 percent. Harris’s recent gains come as she prepares to formally accept the Democratic presidential nomination at the party’s national convention, which kicks off tonight.

Will Biden's exit pave the way for Harris's uprising?

Biden’s sudden exit from the race followed a poor performance in the first presidential debate, which sparked widespread calls from Democratic leaders for him to step aside. Facing growing pressure, Biden endorsed Harris for the nomination on July 21, giving her campaign a fresh boost.

Despite Harris’ lead in the poll, the race remains tight, particularly in key swing states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada. These battleground states will be pivotal in determining the outcome of the election in November. The Democrats are hoping to build on this momentum as the convention unfolds, with major party figures like Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Bill Clinton, and Hillary Clinton set to endorse Harris