Recent polling data suggest that Vice President Kamala Harris has made strides in gaining support among independent voters, after President Joe Biden decided to bow out of the 2024 presidential race.
Quinnipiac University reported on July 22 that 55 percent of independent voters support Trump, while 41 percent support Harris, indicating a competitive race lies ahead.
Obamacare in Play
As Harris steps into the role of the Democratic nominee for the 2024 presidential election, her stance on health care, and particularly the Affordable Care Act (ACA), is of significant interest to many independents. Also known as Obamacare, the act has been a transformative piece of legislation for the U.S. health care system. While it has provided benefits for some, it has also faced considerable criticism, with opponents citing higher premiums, deductibles, and employer mandates.June Goering, born and raised in Pretty Prairie, Kansas, is a retired nurse, musician, and singer who now lives in Overland Park, Kansas. She was a Republican until President Barack Obama’s presidency.
Obamacare played a crucial role in Goering’s life after retirement. Without the ACA, she would not have been able to afford insurance at her age.
‘More Substance’
Gwen Fair of Montgomery, Alabama, comes from a long line of politically active family members. The recent shakeup with Biden has made her think twice about how to cast her vote.“I haven’t been satisfied with the Biden administration, and Harris has been a ghost, so I don’t know her positions on the issues,” Fair said. “Staying at home on Election Day is a disservice to my ancestors, who fought so hard for my right to vote. I’m still doing my research.”
Fair said Harris’s legal background is notable but not impressive enough for her to be president.
“I haven’t seen anything that really excites me about her,” she said. “Michelle Obama was more active as the first lady than Harris has been as vice president.”
Fair told The Epoch Times that Harris hasn’t provided enough evidence that she can lead the country.
“I don’t want to vote for Harris just because she is a woman,” Fair said. “I need more substance. She has bad blood with a lot of people.”
Fair said her boyfriend is a strong Trump supporter, but she has reservations about supporting the GOP candidate.
Former Trump Voter Turns Blue
Former Trump supporters switching to Harris cite a combination of disillusionment with Trump’s behavior and legal troubles, alignment with Harris’s policies, and a desire for stability and unity. Some perceive Harris as having a pragmatic approach to governance.Richard Kiczek, a tech writer who edits documents and forms for the military, is a lifelong Republican who voted for Trump in 2016. The retired member of the U.S. Air Force believes MAGA (Make America Great Again) voters and politicians have hijacked the Republican Party, but he prefers to discuss why he supports Harris.
“I started questioning Trump’s character and switched to [being] independent,” Kiczek told The Epoch Times. “I began looking at other options.”
The Fort Walton Beach, Florida, resident intends to cast his vote for Harris when early voting begins.
“I appreciate Harris’s position on energy, women’s health rights, LGBTQ unity, her support of Ukraine, and the Democratic Party’s push for reasonable gun control. It’s a no-brainer for me,” he said.
Kiczek says he had been hopeful that Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro would be the vice presidential pick, but he’s satisfied with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, whom Harris has chosen as her running mate.
Skeptical of Leadership
Rev. David Lowery is the pastor of Universal Baptist Church in Harvey, Illinois. He expressed strong opposition to the rise in crime, which he attributes to the influx of illegal immigrants into Chicago. He criticized the Biden administration for reversing policies such as “Remain in Mexico” and for not completing the border wall.“Plain and simple, I’m voting for Trump,” Lowery said. “The Democrats have been horrible for the country.”
Lowery, who says he “became an independent several years ago,” is part of a broader movement of black leaders in Illinois who are urging their communities to reconsider their traditional support for the Democratic Party and to vote Republican.
‘Weak on the Border’
Rob Sauder is an over-the-road truck driver from Houston. As an independent, Sauder is considering voting for Harris. His initial choice for president was Chase Oliver, the Libertarian Party nominee.The increasing polarization in U.S. politics has been a significant factor for him.
“I am not a big fan of Harris, but I refuse to vote for Trump, and Oliver isn’t getting traction,” Sauder said. “I want my vote to count.”
Sauder, who works 50 to 70 hours a week to support himself and his family, is concerned about the economy, the border, and the nation’s foreign policy toward Israel. He said he is frustrated by the difficulty of finding accurate information on candidates that isn’t manipulated by the media.
“During the Biden administration, [Harris] was invisible, never speaking out, and didn’t seem too confident,” Sauder said. “I want to believe in her, but she’s been weak on the border and unclear about her foreign policy positions.”
Sauder told The Epoch Times that he felt the Republican Party had become too extreme. While Trump hasn’t endorsed Project 2025, Sauder said he remains concerned about it.
Project 2025, also known as the 2025 Presidential Transition Project, is an initiative spearheaded by The Heritage Foundation and supported by more than 100 conservative organizations. It aims to prepare for a potential Republican administration in 2025 by developing a comprehensive policy agenda and creating a 180-day playbook to swiftly implement conservative policies.
“I will vote for Harris if she is [officially] nominated. She’s younger and like a breath of fresh air,” Sauder said.
