Today’s edition of From the Politics Desk covers the key areas where Donald Trump’s support among Puerto Rican voters will be tested as he campaigns in Allentown, Pennsylvania. In 2020, Trump gained ground with Hispanics, including Puerto Ricans, and polls show he may do even better this time around. Allentown is a majority-Hispanic city with one-quarter of its population of Puerto Rican descent, making it a crucial location for Trump’s support. Trump improved his performance in small and mid-size cities in eastern Pennsylvania with sizable Hispanic populations in 2020 compared to 2016. The stakes are high for Trump in gaining support in these regions, especially as Kamala Harris aims for further gains in other areas of Pennsylvania.
In the final days of the election, Trump and Harris are using eerily similar messages to woo voters, with both trying to convince a polarized nation of their respective visions for the country’s future. Trump asks voters if they are better off now than four years ago, while Harris argues that Trump seeks to upend political norms and attack his political enemies. Trump’s challenge is to stick to his policy pitch amidst distractions during his rallies. Elon Musk, a top Trump ally, has been leaning into violent rhetoric towards Harris, while Trump is ramping up baseless election fraud allegations.
Despite ongoing legal cases, including those involving Steve Bannon, Trump appears to be running stronger in New York than most Republicans have in recent elections, which could be concerning for Democrats. Finally, with a total of 147 ballot measures across 41 states on issues such as abortion and marijuana, voters will play a crucial role in determining the fate of these measures on Election Day.
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