Republican former President Donald Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris are gearing up for a closely contested race in the upcoming U.S. presidential election on November 5, with both candidates making final appeals in critical battleground states.
Several third-party candidates are also participating in the election. Here’s a summary of the candidates:
Democratic Party
Kamala Harris
Harris, 60, secured the Democratic nomination after President Biden withdrew from the race, aiming to present a fresh vision for America that contrasts with Trump’s agenda. With a background as a U.S. senator and California attorney general, she made history as the first woman and person of color to serve as vice president. If elected, she would be the first female president in the country’s history.
Polls indicate that Harris holds a slight edge over Trump, leading nationally by 44% to 43% in a Reuters/Ipsos survey published on October 29. Other polls show tight competition in essential battleground states such as Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, North Carolina, Michigan, and Nevada.
In the closing weeks of her campaign, Harris has intensified efforts to portray Trump as a danger to democracy, citing his inflammatory remarks. She is advocating for reproductive rights and supports a national law to ensure access to safe abortion.
Harris’s economic proposals include tax cuts for most Americans, measures against price gouging, affordable housing initiatives, and a child tax credit. She has suggested raising the corporate tax rate to 28% and eliminating taxes on tips.
Regarding immigration, she aims for stricter border controls and efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking. Her stance on climate and energy aligns with Biden’s focus on addressing climate change. Harris has worked to maintain a positive relationship with the tech industry while addressing concerns related to competition and privacy.
On foreign policy, Harris is expected to largely follow Biden’s approach on key issues such as support for Ukraine and Taiwan and seeking peace in Gaza while condemning Hamas. She has garnered endorsements from various labor organizations and leaders across different sectors.
Republican Party
Donald Trump
At 78, Trump is running for president for the third time, having won the Republican nomination in July. He continues to claim that the 2020 election was stolen from him, campaigning amid significant legal challenges, including recent indictments related to his efforts to contest the election results.
During his presidency from 2017 to 2021, Trump became the first president to be impeached twice and has characterized his legal troubles as politically motivated, promising “retribution” against adversaries. He has chosen Senator JD Vance of Ohio as his running mate.
Trump’s campaign includes promises of mass deportations, ending birthright citizenship, and imposing new tariffs on imports. He aims to prioritize American workers, proposing cuts to taxes on tips and overtime, lowering corporate taxes, and expanding access to federal lands for energy companies.
In terms of foreign policy, Trump has pledged to fundamentally change the U.S. relationship with NATO and to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, potentially through negotiations that might require territorial concessions from Kyiv.
He has received backing from police organizations and former officials, though some Republicans have criticized his personal attacks on Harris.
Third Parties & Independents
Libertarian Party: Chase Oliver
The Libertarian Party nominated Chase Oliver, 39, who previously ran for a Georgia Senate seat in 2022.
Green Party: Jill Stein
Jill Stein, a physician aged 74, returns as the Green Party nominee, focusing on climate action and economic reform.
Independent: Cornel West
Cornel West, a philosopher and activist, initially ran as a Green Party candidate but has since declared himself an independent, advocating for poverty reduction and guaranteed housing for all.
