Trump and Vance Target Minnesota in 2024 Campaign Push
- Donald Trump and Senator JD Vance are rallying in St. Cloud, Minnesota, to promote a shift in the state, traditionally leaning Democratic.
- The event is part of a broader strategy to attract more support in the Midwest.
- The rally signifies ongoing Republican efforts to reshape electoral dynamics in states that have been strongholds for Democrats.
Former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator JD Vance are set to visit St. Cloud, Minnesota, on Saturday, marking a significant campaign stop in a state that has not supported a Republican presidential candidate in over five decades. The announcement comes as Trump’s pollster, John McLaughlin, suggests that Minnesota could be competitive in the upcoming election, indicating that Vance's Midwestern appeal may bolster Trump's chances. Despite Trump's loss to President Biden in Minnesota by approximately 7% in 2020, recent polling indicates a shift in voter sentiment. A June poll showed Trump trailing Biden by just 4%, with some polls even suggesting a tie in this traditionally Democratic stronghold. The Real Clear Politics polling average currently shows Trump with a slight lead, reflecting a potential opening for the former president in a state that has not voted Republican since Richard Nixon's campaign in 1972. The Trump campaign is particularly focused on Minnesota and Virginia, believing both states could be winnable. A spokesperson highlighted recent Emerson polling that indicates Trump holds a narrow one-point lead in Minnesota. Trump has emphasized Vance's Midwestern roots as a strategic advantage in appealing to local voters. The campaign's timing coincides with a significant shift in the Democratic landscape, as President Biden announced his withdrawal from the race, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. This development adds further complexity to the 2024 election dynamics as both parties prepare for a competitive race.