Trump is focusing on winning a state that hasn’t voted Republican since Nixon.
Former President Trump and Ohio Sen. JD Vance are gearing up for an eventful stop in Minnesota, a state that hasn’t favored a Republican presidential candidate for over half a century. This unexpected move has sparked interest and excitement among political enthusiasts and analysts alike.
The duo plans to visit St. Cloud, Minnesota, on Saturday, with the campaign officially announcing their upcoming trip. According to a report by Real Clear Politics, Trump’s pollster John McLaughlin is optimistic about the state’s potential to shift towards the Republican side.
McLaughlin’s confidence stems from Vance’s appeal to voters in the Midwest region, an advantage that could potentially sway the outcome in Minnesota. In the 2016 election, Trump narrowly lost the state to Hillary Clinton by a slim margin of about 1.5%. However, in 2020, his performance against President Biden saw an increase in the gap, with a deficit of approximately 7%.
Despite this history, recent polling data indicates that Minnesota might once again become a battleground state in the upcoming 2024 election. A June poll conducted among likely voters in Minnesota by the Star Tribune, MPR News, and KARE 11 revealed Trump trailing Biden by just 4%, with numbers at 45-41.
The Real Clear Politics average polling in the state is even more promising, showing Trump lagging behind Biden by only 3 points. One of the polls included in this average, a Hill/Emerson poll, depicts a tie between Trump and Biden—a surprising turn in a state that has consistently leaned towards the blue side.
The Trump campaign is emboldened by these developments and aims to broaden its battleground map for 2024. In addition to the usual swing states, such as Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, Minnesota and Virginia have emerged as strategic targets.
Virginia, like Minnesota, has shown favorable trends for Trump lately. Recent polling averages by Real Clear Politics indicate a slight lead for the former president in the state, with the latest polls indicating a lead of two to three points.
Speaking of Minnesota, Trump has expressed confidence in the state’s potential to turn red, highlighting Vance’s roots in the Midwest as a significant factor. In a post on Truth Social, Trump emphasized Vance’s successful business career in technology and finance and his advocacy for American workers and farmers in key states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and of course, Minnesota.
However, amidst this political maneuvering, there have been sudden developments on the Democratic side. President Biden recently announced his decision to withdraw from the presidential race, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. This shift has prompted a united front among Democrats in support of Harris.
As Trump and Vance gear up for their trip to Minnesota, the political landscape remains dynamic and unpredictable. With Biden’s exit and Harris stepping into the spotlight, the stage is set for a fierce battle in the upcoming election. While there is limited polling data on a potential Trump versus Harris matchup, the former president’s visit to Minnesota signals his intent to get an early start on securing crucial battleground states.
