The Harris campaign has reduced ad spending in North Carolina by $2 million just a week before the election, scaling back a $2.7 million media buy. This move comes amid polling that shows a tight race between Vice President Kamala Harris and President Donald Trump, each receiving 47% support statewide. Harris is scheduled for a campaign stop in Raleigh, where she holds a lead, while Trump will rally supporters in Rocky Mount.
Harris’ decision to reduce ad spending has led some to question whether her campaign is prioritizing other battleground states. In North Carolina, Trump leads in regions from Charlotte to the coast, while Harris has a stronghold in Raleigh-Durham.
on Monday the Harris-Walz campaign reserved $2.7 million worth of ads in North Carolina for the last stretch of the campaign, only to turn around and kill more than $2 million of its reservations on Tuesday.https://t.co/0KCPjoStl7
— Amicus Curiae (@AmicusCuri99068) October 31, 2024
Republican voters are turning out at higher rates than in 2020. Dr. Andy Jackson of the Civitas Center reported that while Republican turnout is up by 9,000, Democratic turnout has dropped by over 340,000 compared to the last election. With over 3 million votes already cast, early voting trends indicate Republicans may hold a turnout advantage in this cycle.
The campaign is also impacted by a decrease in turnout from key Democratic groups. Black voters have cast 40,000 fewer ballots compared to 2020, and turnout among young Democrats has dropped by 37,000. This is a concern for Democrats, as young and Black voters were critical to their 2020 success in the state.
Kamala Harris campaign has given up on North Carolina and moving resources to Virginia.
Early voting data shows Trump could take Virginia.
Explained here
— Wall Street Silver (@WallStreetSilv) October 31, 2024
Why would one person in #NorthCarolina vote blue?
Why would you vote for #Harris or any #Democrat.
My God, #Harris just sent $43 million to #Ukraine. https://t.co/HZmfASaDCP
— Alaskagirl (@Alaskacryptogi1) October 30, 2024
With North Carolina remaining a competitive battleground, both campaigns are working hard to engage voters in the final days. The shift in advertising strategy raises questions, but both Harris and Trump hope their upcoming rallies will galvanize support.
