Vice President Kamala Harris received a major boost to her presidential campaign on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, when the United Auto Workers (UAW) announced its endorsement.
The endorsement comes as Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee, continues to gain traction in the 2024 presidential race.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the UAW praised Harris for her stance against “corporate greed,” contrasting her with Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump.
The union’s endorsement underscores Harris’s appeal to organized labor, a key demographic in swing states. Kamala Harris has since acknowledged the endorsement stating:
“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the United Auto Workers. From walking picket lines to taking on big banks, I have spent my entire career fighting for unions and working families—and, as President, I will continue to deliver for organized labor.”
Since entering the race, Harris has seen a steady increase in support. Recent polling data, including a survey from The Economist/YouGov released on Wednesday, indicates that Harris has closed the gap with Trump.
In a hypothetical matchup, 46 percent of the 1,610 adults surveyed favored Harris, while 44 percent supported Trump. The poll’s margin of error is 3.3 percentage points, indicating a tight race. The data was collected from July 27 to July 30.
Earlier polls showed Trump with a slight lead over President Joe Biden. A poll conducted from June 30 to July 2 had Trump ahead by 2 points (42 percent to 40 percent).
Similarly, from July 13 to July 16, Trump led Biden 43 percent to 41 percent. However, with Biden’s exit from the race, Harris appears to be consolidating Democratic support.
In addition to narrowing the gap nationally, Harris has also gained ground in crucial swing states.
A Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll released Tuesday revealed that Harris holds a narrow 1-point lead over Trump across seven battleground states, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. This marks a notable shift from the beginning of the month, when Trump led Biden by 2 points across these states.
Moreover, Harris’s favorability ratings have seen an improvement. According to The Economist/YouGov poll, she has a net favorability rating of negative 4 percentage points, compared to Trump’s negative 9 points.
Trump’s running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, fared the worst, with a net favorability rating of negative 11 points.
As the 2024 election approaches, Harris’s campaign continues to gain momentum, bolstered by endorsements and improving poll numbers.
The UAW’s endorsement, in particular, could be pivotal in securing support from key demographics in the upcoming election.
