As the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaches, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are intensifying their campaign efforts in crucial Western states. With just three months until the November 5 election, both candidates are strategically targeting regions that could significantly impact the outcome.
Harris, the first woman, African American, and Asian American to hold the vice presidency, is currently on a week-long tour following the announcement of her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. The Democratic ticket is focusing on seven key states, including Arizona, which joined the Union in 1912 as the 48th state.
On August 9, 2024, Harris visited Phoenix, the fifth most populous city in the United States, to engage with campaign volunteers and address voters. Her campaign received a boost with the endorsement of LULAC Adelante, the political action committee of the League of United Latin American Citizens, founded in 1929. This marks LULAC's first-ever presidential endorsement, highlighting the growing importance of the Latino vote.
Meanwhile, Trump held a rally in Bozeman, Montana, a state Republicans have consistently won in presidential races since 1996. Montana, the fourth largest state by area, is also hosting a competitive Senate race this year. Trump's visit aimed to support Tim Sheehy, who is challenging incumbent Democratic Senator John Tester, who has held office since 2007.
Trump's journey to Montana encountered a minor setback when his flight was diverted due to mechanical issues. Upon arrival, he shared his impressions of the state's beauty on Truth Social, a platform he launched in 2022.
"I just landed in a really beautiful place: Montana. So beautiful, flying over and you just look down and that's the way it's supposed to be."
The Democratic campaign is particularly focused on Nevada and Arizona, two Western states with nearly one-third Latino populations. These states, which Joe Biden narrowly won in 2020, are expected to be crucial battlegrounds in the upcoming election. Recent polls suggest an exceptionally close race in both states.
As the campaign intensifies, both parties are keenly aware of the growing Latino population in the United States, which reached 62.1 million in 2020. The candidates' strategies in these Western states could prove decisive in the Electoral College system that determines the presidential winner.
With the election drawing near, Harris is scheduled to continue her Western tour with a visit to Las Vegas, Nevada, a city incorporated in 1911 and known for its vibrant history and rapid growth. As both campaigns traverse the West, they are acutely aware that every vote counts in what promises to be a closely contested race for the White House.