Harris could be closing gap with Trump on the economy: Poll

Vice President Kamala Harris is making headway with voters on the economy, according to a poll released this month. 

While former President Donald Trump garnered the majority of support over economic matters in previous surveys, Harris appears to be picking up steam after taking the reins from President Joe Biden as the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee. 

A new poll conducted by the Financial Times and the University of Michigan showed voters trust Harris to handle the economy over Trump by 1 percentage point. The vice president captured the slim lead after prior polling showed Trump leading Biden on the matter by 6 percentage points. 

The poll surveyed 1,001 registered voters online from Aug. 1-5. It had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.

However, another recent poll conducted by the New York Times-Siena College indicated Trump still holds a significant advantage on the economy among swing states. Voters favored Trump 53% to 44% across Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The survey polled 1,973 registered voters between Aug. 5 and 9. 

The cost of living, inflation, and other economic matters have become centerpieces of both the Harris and Trump campaigns this election cycle. Both polls report widespread dissatisfaction with Biden’s economic policies. 

In June 2023, the year-over-year inflation rate, as measured by the consumer price index, reached 9.1%, the highest it has been in more than four decades. Although inflation has cooled in recent months, prices have remained nearly 21% higher since February 2020.

The Financial Times and University of Michigan poll found 60% of voters wanted a different approach or major changes to Biden’s economic policies should Harris win the presidency. Fifty-three percent of voters also reported the economy was their top issue, far outpacing others such as immigration and abortion. Economic problems were also top of mind for voters in the New York Times-Siena College poll.