Vice President Kamala Harris’s performance in key New York districts is falling short of President Joe Biden’s 2020 numbers, potentially giving Republicans an edge in the upcoming election.
According to a report by Semafor, Harris’s struggles in the Empire State could hinder Democrats’ efforts to regain control of the U.S. House. While Harris is running neck and neck with Donald Trump nationwide, her numbers in New York are lagging behind Biden’s 2020 performance, which could have significant implications for the party’s chances of taking back the House.
A recent Siena College poll highlights Harris’s struggles in the state, showing she has yet to match Biden’s 22-point winning margin from 2020. Although Harris is likely to defeat Trump in New York, her underwhelming performance could affect the outcome of several House races, particularly in swing districts.
Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg noted that the vice president’s lackluster numbers could make it more challenging for Democrats in marginal seats. “The fact that the top of the ticket is not performing as well as it did four years ago makes the job of Democrats in swing districts more difficult,” he said.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) took to social media to celebrate the news, while Rep. Greg Meeks, chair of the Queens Democratic Party, disputed the notion that Harris would underperform in New York, citing her support in certain districts, including those on Long Island and in Westchester.
Semafor pointed out that Republicans are focusing on issues like crime, inflation, and immigration in their bids to retain control of the House, building on their surprise victories in suburban and rural districts in the 2022 midterms.
Meanwhile, Harris is also facing challenges in Michigan, where Arab-American voters are increasingly turning away from her candidacy due to the Biden administration’s stance on Israel’s actions in Gaza. A recent New York Times profile highlighted the erosion of support among Arab and Muslim voters in Michigan, a crucial swing state where Biden won with strong backing from these groups in 2020.
