Trump North Carolina rallies/ 2024 swing state/ North Carolina electoral votes/ Trump Harris campaign/ election battlegrounds/ Newslooks/ RALEIGH/ N.C./ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Donald Trump is dedicating the final days of his campaign to North Carolina, rallying in the state each day through Election Day. North Carolina, a swing state Trump narrowly won in 2016 and 2020, remains critical to his 2024 strategy. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris will also campaign there, highlighting the state’s importance.
Trump’s Focus on North Carolina in Final Campaign Days: Quick Looks
- North Carolina Push: Trump commits to daily rallies in North Carolina leading up to Election Day.
- Campaign Events: Stops include Gastonia, Greensboro, Kinston, and Raleigh, totaling nine NC events since October 1.
- Electoral Significance: Losing North Carolina would complicate Trump’s path to the necessary 270 electoral votes.
- Harris in North Carolina: Harris campaigns in Charlotte, underscoring the state’s battleground importance.
- Early Voting Surge: High early voting turnout, with Republicans showing strong participation.
Trump Focuses Final Campaign Days in North Carolina Swing State
Deep Look
With Election Day looming, former President Donald Trump is centering his final campaign days in North Carolina, a key battleground he narrowly won in both 2016 and 2020. North Carolina’s 16 electoral votes are crucial to Trump’s path to victory, and a loss there could complicate his chances of reaching the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency. Starting Saturday, Trump will hold daily rallies across the state, including stops in Gastonia, Greensboro, and Raleigh, and an additional event in Kinston. These rallies bring his total North Carolina appearances since October 1 to nine.
Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump’s Democratic opponent, will also be in North Carolina on Saturday, hosting a rally and concert in Charlotte. Although her campaign has not announced additional stops in the state before Election Day, Harris’s visit underlines North Carolina’s importance as a swing state.
Trump’s intensive focus on North Carolina stands out even as he campaigns in Democratic-leaning states like New Mexico and Virginia, which are not typically competitive in presidential elections. North Carolina, a fast-growing Southern state, last supported a Democratic presidential candidate in 2008. Trump’s narrow win there in 2020—by just 1.3 percentage points over Joe Biden—demonstrates the state’s role as a swing state that both campaigns view as essential.
Hurricane Helene’s Impact on the State
North Carolina’s electoral landscape has been affected by the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which caused significant flooding and property damage in western parts of the state, including Asheville and surrounding areas. The hurricane has displaced residents and complicated get-out-the-vote efforts in affected regions, adding an element of uncertainty to an already close race. Trump’s campaign remains optimistic about his chances in the state, while Democrats argue that his intense focus there suggests potential vulnerability.
Democratic state Rep. Marcia Morey of Durham commented, “The repeat appearances may signal Trump’s campaign is in trouble,” adding that Trump’s recent rhetoric could alienate voters. “A campaign of personal retribution does not win votes from people,” Morey said.
However, Trump adviser Jason Miller dismissed suggestions that Trump’s North Carolina focus reflects any campaign struggles. “We have a smart strategy that’s going to get President Trump across 270, maybe even a couple of states that surprise you,” Miller told reporters. “But we’re going to follow our strategy. Our strategy comes from our data and our targeting.”
Early Voting Trends in North Carolina
As of Friday, early voting in North Carolina has been robust, with roughly half of the state’s 7.8 million registered voters having already cast ballots. Early in-person voting ends on Saturday afternoon. This year, the Republican Party has encouraged its supporters to vote early, a shift from its previous focus on Election Day turnout. So far, state election data indicates that over 50,000 more Republican voters than Democrats have voted early or by absentee ballot, despite there being 100,000 more registered Democrats in North Carolina.
With independent voters now the largest group of registered voters in the state, both parties are vying for their support. Trump saw a drop in support from independents between 2016 and 2020, and his campaign is hoping to regain ground with this critical group. The state’s voters have a history of splitting their ballots, as seen in past elections where Democrats controlled the governor’s office while Republicans held the legislature. This trend adds to the unpredictability of the North Carolina race.
Controversies Impacting the GOP’s Governor’s Race
The Republican Party’s prospects in North Carolina are clouded by recent controversy surrounding GOP gubernatorial candidate Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson. A CNN report recently alleged that Robinson made explicit racial and sexual comments on a pornography website’s message board over a decade ago. Robinson denied the allegations and filed a defamation lawsuit against CNN last month, but the negative publicity has hindered his campaign.
The controversy has raised concerns that a significant win by Democratic candidate Josh Stein, the state’s attorney general, could create a domino effect, benefiting other Democratic candidates across the ballot. Stein’s campaign has gained momentum as a result, and a strong showing by Stein could impact the outcome of other races.
In the final days leading up to the election, both parties are pushing hard in North Carolina, recognizing its potential to tip the scales. Trump’s focus on the state highlights its critical role in the overall electoral strategy for both campaigns. With high early voting turnout, especially among Republicans, and a strong push from Democrats to secure independents, North Carolina’s outcome remains uncertain.