Categories: Elections

Harris and Trump target key battlegrounds as election day nears, with focus on Michigan and North Carolina

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign rally at the Resch Expo in Green Bay, Wis., Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

With the November 5 election rapidly approaching, both Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump are focusing their efforts on Michigan, a key battleground state. Vice President Harris will start her Friday in Grand Rapids, followed by events in Lansing and Oakland County, just northwest of Detroit.

Meanwhile, former President Trump will also hold events in Michigan, with an appearance in Oakland County during the afternoon before capping off the day with an evening rally in Detroit.

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., listens at the 79th annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Latest Updates:

Trump to Visit North Carolina Town Impacted by Hurricane Helene
Next week, Trump will visit Asheville, a North Carolina town still reeling from the effects of Hurricane Helene, which has left many without power and running water. His campaign announced Friday that Trump will address the press in Asheville on Monday, along with other events scheduled across the state.

There has been concern about how voting will proceed in the aftermath of the storm, particularly in the western, mountainous regions of North Carolina. However, on Friday, the State Board of Elections announced that voter turnout on the first day of early voting surpassed that of 2020, despite ongoing recovery efforts.

Though Trump has been campaigning in eastern North Carolina recently, he has yet to visit the areas hardest hit by Helene. Earlier this month, President Biden surveyed the storm-damaged regions near Asheville by helicopter due to limited road access.

Harris Fights for Key Swing States
Kamala Harris’ campaign is concentrating on seven crucial swing states. According to campaign strategist David Plouffe, the election will likely hinge on tight margins in Nevada, Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and North Carolina. Harris is committed to securing every possible vote, approaching each voting bloc as if they were swing voters.

Plouffe expressed confidence that voters are seeking change and are not interested in another four years of Donald Trump.

Herbert Bauernebel

Herbert Bauernebel has been reporting from New York since 1999 and currently works for Bild.de, OE24 TV, and US Live. He also runs the news portal AmerikaReport.de. Bauernebel has covered nearly all major US events of the past quarter-century, including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Barack Obama’s election, Donald Trump’s surprise victory, the pandemic, last year’s election showdown, as well as natural disasters such as hurricanes and oil spills. He has also reported firsthand on international events, including the Asian tsunami, the Haiti earthquake, and the Fukushima disaster. He lives in Brooklyn with his family and holds degrees in communication and political science from the University of Vienna. Bauernebel is the author of a book about his experiences on 9/11, And the Air Was Full of Ash: 9/11 – The Day That Changed My Life.