As the final push for votes in swing-state Wisconsin's largest county intensifies, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are set to host dueling rallies within seven miles of each other on Friday night in the Milwaukee area. Milwaukee, known for housing the most Democratic votes in Wisconsin, is a critical battleground where both candidates are vying for support.
Trump, aiming to reclaim the state he narrowly won in 2016 and lost in 2020, is focusing on the conservative suburbs where most Republicans reside. His defeat in 2020 was partly attributed to a drop in support in these suburbs and an increase in Democratic votes in the city.
The significance of Milwaukee County in the presidential race is underscored by the fact that four of the past six elections in Wisconsin have been decided by slim margins, emphasizing the importance of every vote.
Both candidates are making their final appeals to voters in Wisconsin, with Harris holding a rally in a suburb and Trump in downtown Milwaukee. The race for the state's 10 electoral votes is once again neck-and-neck, with both sides acknowledging the pivotal role Milwaukee County plays in the outcome.
Democrats are focusing on turning out voters in Milwaukee, which is home to the state's largest Black population, to counter Trump's support in suburban and rural areas. Harris is aiming to surpass the voter turnout from 2020 when the city overwhelmingly supported Biden.
Trump, on the other hand, is working to narrow the Democrats' margin in Milwaukee. The outreach efforts targeting Black voters have intensified, with former President Bill Clinton campaigning with local faith leaders in a late push to mobilize support.
Wisconsin Republican Party officials view Harris's return to Milwaukee as a defensive move, contrasting it with Trump's offensive strategy. The uncertainty surrounding the voting preferences of the electorate remains a key factor as Election Day approaches.
With the Milwaukee Election Commission expecting a significant number of ballots by Election Day, the focus is on voter turnout and the potential impact on the election results. Both parties are closely monitoring the conservative suburbs for early vote returns.
As the candidates make their final pitches to voters in Wisconsin, the stage is set for a closely contested battle for the state's electoral votes. The rallies by Harris and Trump underscore the significance of Milwaukee County in determining the outcome of the presidential race.
