Vice President Kamala Harris has seen a notable surge in her approval ratings, with a recent Gallup poll showing a 13-point increase since June.
This rise follows President Joe Biden’s decision to exit the 2024 presidential race and endorse Harris as the Democratic nominee. As Harris takes center stage, her favorability rating now stands at 47 percent, up from 34 percent in June.
The Gallup poll, published Thursday, indicates that this is Harris’ second-highest favorability rating since she took office. Her highest, at 53 percent, came in January 2021, shortly after she and Biden were inaugurated.
Among Democrats, her favorability jumped 16 points to 93 percent. Independent voters have also warmed up to Harris, with her approval among them rising from 28 percent to 41 percent. Republican approval remains largely unchanged at 5 percent.
Harris’ performance as vice president has also seen an upswing in approval. In December, 40 percent of U.S. adults approved of her job performance, compared to 47 percent in August. Among Democrats, approval of her vice-presidential performance increased from 79 percent to 93 percent. Approval among independents grew slightly, from 36 percent to 43 percent, while Republican approval declined from 6 percent to 4 percent.
The Gallup survey, conducted between August 1 and August 20, sampled 1,015 adults across the U.S. with a margin of error of ±6 percentage points.
This boost in approval ratings comes as the Democratic National Convention wraps up in Chicago. The convention showcased a unified and energized party, spurred by Harris’ entrance into the presidential race. Her campaign has reportedly raised $500 million in just four weeks.
Despite Harris’ momentum, Donald Trump remains the favorite in November’s election, according to leading bookmakers. Recent polls show the race tightening, with Trump holding a narrow lead over Harris, reflecting a competitive race that remains fluid as Election Day approaches.
Political experts, like Northeastern University’s Costas Panagopoulos, suggest that the fluctuating dynamics are typical in the lead-up to an election.
“Supporters and campaigns are often more motivated when they believe they’re behind, which keeps the race close and unpredictable,” Panagopoulos said.
