As Election Day approaches, Vice President Kamala Harris is facing a significant challenge in Arizona, a crucial swing state, where she is struggling to resonate with young voters. In stark contrast, the same demographic had turned out in record numbers to support Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.
Democrat strategists are growing increasingly concerned that former President Trump’s targeted efforts to win over young voters, especially within the Latino community, are yielding results. This concern is amplified in the Western United States, where young Latinos comprise over 40% of all newly eligible voters.
Recent polling data from the New York Times/Siena College poll reveals a striking disconnect in Arizona, where Trump holds a 5-point lead over Harris, despite Democratic Senate candidate Ruben Gallego enjoying a 7-point advantage over his GOP opponent, Kari Lake. Notably, some young voters who intend to support Democrats in other races are opting not to back Harris.
According to Jacob Marson, Executive Director of Keep Arizona Blue, many young voters in the state feel disillusioned with the political system as a whole, leading to a lack of enthusiasm for both Trump and Harris. “They’ve lost faith in the system,” Marson observed. “They’ve been promised change, but haven’t seen tangible improvements in their lives.”
Meanwhile, Harris is also facing headwinds in Michigan, where the Arab-American community, comprising approximately 300,000 voters, is increasingly disillusioned with her candidacy. This shift in sentiment is largely attributed to the Biden administration’s stance on Israel’s actions in Gaza. As highlighted by the New York Times, the once-strong support for the Democratic ticket among Arab Americans and Muslims in Michigan’s Detroit area has significantly eroded, with some neighborhoods witnessing a near-total collapse of backing for Harris.
