Kamala Harris Surges Ahead of Donald Trump in New Poll After Biden’s Withdrawal

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is narrowly leading former President Donald Trump in a national presidential poll released on Tuesday, marking one of the first major surveys since President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race.

According to the Reuters/Ipsos poll, Harris holds a slim edge over Trump, with 44% to his 42%. This survey was conducted in the two days following Biden’s announcement on Sunday that he was exiting the race and endorsing Harris. “Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump,” Biden stated.

In the previous week’s poll, Harris and Trump were tied at 44% each. The new results reflect a tight competition between the 59-year-old Harris and the 78-year-old Trump.

However, Harris narrowly trails Trump in another poll released on Tuesday. Both polls fall within their respective margins of error, indicating a highly competitive race.

In a PBS News/NPR/Marist poll released Monday, Trump slightly leads Harris with 46% to her 45% among U.S. registered voters, with 9% undecided. When third-party candidates are included, both Trump and Harris are tied at 42%, with other candidates trailing significantly.

The PBS News survey also showed that 87% of Americans believe Biden’s decision to withdraw was the right move, a sentiment that crosses partisan and generational lines. Additionally, 41% of respondents think Biden’s exit improves the Democrats’ chances in November, while 24% believe it decreases their odds and 34% see it as having no effect.

These polls come on the heels of Trump narrowly surviving an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally on July 13.