Vice President Kamala Harris is closing in on former President Trump in Iowa. Once thought to be solid Trump territory, the gap has narrowed.
Harris now trails Trump by just four points. She has 43%, while Trump holds 47%, according to a new Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll.
This is a big change from spring, when Trump led Biden by 18 points in the same poll. Back then, Trump had 50%, and Biden had only 32%.
"I wouldn’t call 4 points comfortable," said pollster J. Ann Selzer. "The race has tightened." It’s the first poll since Harris became the Democratic nominee.
Iowa wasn’t expected to be a swing state this year. Trump won it by nearly 10 points in both 2016 and 2020. Most thought it would stay red in 2024.
However, Iowa has flipped in the past. It went to Democratic Vice President Al Gore in 2000, then to George W. Bush in 2004, and later to Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012.
This single poll may not shift the race, but it shows Harris could make key Midwest states more competitive. That could boost her chances in November.
Harris is gaining ground, especially with women. The poll shows she leads Trump among women, 53% to 36%. Trump still leads with men, 59% to 32%.
More women are planning to vote this year than in previous polls. Female voter interest is up 8% since June.