With Election Day just five days away and nearly 60 million ballots already cast, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are intensifying their efforts in the American Southwest. Both candidates are focusing on key battleground states as they seek to sway voters amid controversies sparked by campaign allies.
On Thursday, the spotlight shifts to the Southwest as Harris targets Arizona and Nevada, while Trump makes stops in Nevada and New Mexico. New Mexico, known for its high percentage of Hispanic residents, provides a backdrop for Trump to emphasize immigration as a central theme in his final appeal to voters.
Recent polls indicate that Arizona and Nevada are neck-and-neck, with Latino voters playing a crucial role in both states. Harris holds a significant lead among likely Latino voters in Arizona, while the race is tight in Nevada.
Both candidates are navigating fallout from controversies this week, including a disparaging joke made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at Trump's rally and President Joe Biden's remarks about Trump supporters. Trump capitalized on the incident by incorporating it into his campaign event in Wisconsin, using theatrical elements to amplify his message.
In Nevada, Harris will be joined by actress and singer Jennifer Lopez, who has been vocal in condemning the rhetoric targeting Puerto Rico at Trump's rally. The Harris campaign is leveraging these remarks in a new Spanish-language advertisement in battleground states.
Meanwhile, Trump continued to appeal to women at his Green Bay rally, emphasizing his role as a protector despite advice from campaign strategists. The gender gap between the two candidates remains significant, with ally Nikki Haley cautioning against certain campaign tactics.
The Sun Belt showdown between Harris and Trump underscores the intensity of the race as both candidates make their final push to secure crucial votes in the Southwest.
