Harris tops Trump in Iowa in latest Des Moines Register poll
In a surprising shift in the political landscape, U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has overtaken Republican Donald Trump in a new Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll. Conducted between October 28 and 31, the poll shows Harris leading Trump 47% to 44% among likely voters, signaling a potential turning point in a state that has leaned Republican in recent elections.
This latest poll, which surveyed 808 likely voters, reflects a significant change from a September poll where Trump held a 4-point advantage. Notably, the momentum appears to be driven primarily by female voters, particularly older and politically independent women, who are shifting their support to Harris. The poll’s margin of error is 3.4 percentage points, suggesting a competitive race.
Trump, who secured Iowa by more than 9 percentage points in 2016 and 8 points in 2020, faces a challenging landscape this election cycle. The Harris campaign has focused heavily on engaging women voters, a strategy that may be paying off as they gain traction in this key demographic.
In response to the Des Moines Register poll, the Trump campaign has dismissed the findings as an outlier. A memo from Trump’s chief pollster and data consultant pointed to an Emerson College Poll, also released on Saturday, which indicates Trump leading Harris by 10 points. This poll also carries a margin of error of 3.4 percentage points and shows Trump with strong support among men and independents.
Despite the mixed results, Harris has shown particular strength among younger voters, a demographic critical for her campaign. As early voting continues, both candidates are intensifying their efforts in battleground states like Iowa, where every Electoral College vote is crucial.
With Election Day approaching on Tuesday, the race remains tight nationally, and both parties are keenly aware that winning Iowa’s six Electoral College votes could be pivotal in the quest for the presidency.
