Harris and Trump to Campaign in Pennsylvania on Monday

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are set to campaign in Pennsylvania on Monday, focusing on opposite ends of the state. Harris will be addressing supporters in Erie, located in the northwest, while Trump will hold an event in the southeastern suburbs near Philadelphia.

Both Harris, representing the Democrats, and Trump, for the Republicans, have been making frequent visits to Pennsylvania, which remains a crucial battleground state. Monday’s appearance will mark Harris' 10th visit this campaign season. Trump was recently in the state as well, making stops in Scranton and Reading last week.

With Pennsylvania's significant energy industry and the ongoing debate over natural gas fracking, these topics are likely to be at the forefront as both parties vie for the remaining undecided voters. Mail-in voting is already underway, with around 7 million Pennsylvanians expected to cast their ballots in the upcoming presidential election.

Trump secured Pennsylvania by a margin of over 40,000 votes in the 2016 election, which played a key role in his path to the presidency. However, in 2020, Joe Biden, who hails from Scranton, managed to flip the state, winning by about 80,000 votes.

Harris' rally is set to take place in Erie, a city with a Democratic majority of approximately 94,000 residents. Surrounded by suburban and rural areas that lean Republican, Erie County is often seen as a bellwether, reflecting the broader voting trends of the state. Trump himself was in Erie on September 29. During her rally, Harris is expected to emphasize the importance of early voting. Before the event, she will visit a Black-owned small business to highlight her plans to create more economic opportunities for Black men, aiming to energize this key voting bloc.

Meanwhile, Trump will hold a town hall at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center and Fairgrounds in Oaks, a suburban area outside Philadelphia. His goal is to rally his base and increase turnout among his supporters.

Pennsylvania’s 19 electoral votes make it a vital focus in the presidential race, being the most for any swing state. The state has seen three consecutive Democratic victories in gubernatorial elections, and both of its current U.S. senators are Democrats. However, the state legislature remains closely divided, and both parties have had notable success in recent statewide contests, underscoring Pennsylvania’s importance in the upco

ming election.