Female voters were widely anticipated to rally behind Kamala Harris on Election Day. A strategic advertising blitz urged conservative women to cast discreet votes in her favor, while prominent anti-Trump Republican Liz Cheney boldly predicted that women would “save the day.” Polls also showed Harris holding a commanding 20-point lead over Trump on the critical issue of abortion.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi
Hopes were high that female voters would rally behind Kamala Harris on Election Day. With an extensive advertising push aimed at conservative women and high-profile support from anti-Trump Republican Liz Cheney, Harris entered the race with a 20-point polling advantage over Trump on the issue of abortion. Yet, in the end, these efforts couldn’t secure her the presidency. Political analysts attribute Trump’s victory to his strong economic message and his promise of change, which resonated powerfully with voters across the nation.
Political experts say Trump’s win came down to his focus on economic recovery and his promise of a fresh start from the current administration. While many voters sided with Harris on social issues, the economy’s impact weighed heavily: exit polls revealed that 32% of voters ranked it as their top concern, while only 14% cited abortion as their priority. Harris, though not President Biden, struggled to dissociate from the current administration’s high disapproval ratings.
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NBC News exit polling illustrated the gender divide, with Harris winning the majority of female votes (53%) and Trump leading among male voters (55%). Among Black women, support for Harris was overwhelming at 91%. Still, the educational divide influenced voting behavior, particularly among white, non-college-educated women who leaned toward Trump due to inflation and cost-of-living concerns.
Despite Harris’s considerable appeal on key issues, voters like Jessica Elliott, a single mother in Wisconsin, cited economic struggles as the primary reason for supporting Trump. Others, like small-business owner Alexandria Bielek from Arizona, expressed deep disappointment. “I just thought the other choice was so despicable,” said Bielek, reflecting on Harris’s potential to break barriers as a woman of color in politics.
In her concession speech, Harris urged supporters to keep fighting for the country’s future. While Harris joins Hillary Clinton as the second woman Trump has defeated, many believe her candidacy signals a continued push for change, marking a significant moment for women in American politics.
