A recent survey by AARP has thrown a little sunshine on the Trump campaign in North Carolina, a state that’s shaping up to be a heavyweight in the upcoming election. The former President has managed to pull ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris with a modest lead of 50% to 47% in a direct matchup. For those who enjoy a good nail-biter, things get a tad tighter when third-party candidates are tossed into the mix. However, the picture still looks happy for Trump fans, who can find solace in his 48% compared to Harris’s 46% after accounting for those pesky independents and Green Party enthusiasts.
Interestingly, the survey data reveals a demographic landscape worth noting. Among older voters aged 50 and up, Trump possesses a commanding lead, claiming a whopping 9-point advantage against Harris at 52% to 43%. This seems to be quite the revelation, considering that those most concerned about the future of Social Security and Medicare tend to lean more towards the guy who isn’t a fan of politically correct narratives and gives off an air of being the ultimate outsider. Remarkably, in the category of golden-agers aged 65 and above, Trump’s lead expands to a solid 9 points. Meanwhile, Harris finds a small victory in the youthful 18-34 demographic, holding a 13-point advantage—though her inability to break through the 40% barrier might as well come with a participation trophy.
The stark gender gap is another curious topic. Trump possesses an 11-point lead among male voters, while Harris squeaks out a 7-point advantage among women. However, as the figures climb, Trump knows how to engage the seasoned dame, leading by 5 points among women aged 50 and up. Interestingly, the president’s appeal grows even larger among older men, where he shows a staggering 15-point lead over Harris. It looks as though older American men have found their champion in Trump, leaving Harris to battle it out among the brunching sophisticates.
When it comes to race, the numbers get even more jaw-dropping. Trump boasts a massive 25-point lead among white voters, while Harris’s inexplicable draw with Black voters sees her up by a staggering 74 points. It is a scenario reminiscent of a high school homecoming, where one candidate enjoys widespread support while the other is scratching and clawing just to feel invited to the party. The disparity becomes even more pronounced with older voters, who show Trump leading White voters by 36 points and Harris appealing to Black voters with an astonishing 88-point lead.
There is an underlying tension brewing in the state, too, following some eyebrow-raising revelations about GOP gubernatorial nominee Mark Robinson. Although this scandal isn’t directly related to Trump and his supporters, it’s safe to say that the Democrats are more than happy to make the connection. Meanwhile, Robinson is harnessing his frustration in legal action against those who dared to dredge up his past. Who can blame him for wanting to fight back? Between scandals and shifting demographics, there’s almost too much for North Carolina voters to digest.
In the past elections, older voters were convicted of their electoral prowess, showing up in numbers that could spell victory or defeat for those in power. With 54% of voters in 2020 and 64% in the recent midterms, those aged 50 and above are key. As North Carolina continues to reveal more about its political passions, it’s clear that excitement around the upcoming election is palpable. The race between Trump and Harris is in full swing, promising a showdown that voters won’t want to miss.
