Staff Reports
The political winds in Minnesota are shifting, and it appears that former President Donald Trump is on a winning streak with independent voters in the state. A recent poll conducted by Minn. Post and Embold Research reveals a surprising trend that could change the landscape for the 2024 election. Most interestingly, the poll shows Trump gaining traction in a state currently colored blue by Democrat Governor Tim Walz, an individual who has surprisingly been chosen by Vice President Kamala Harris as her running mate. One would expect that this selection would boost Harris’s numbers in the state, but numbers reveal otherwise.
Conducted from September 4 to September 8, 2024, the poll surveyed a robust sample of 1,616 likely voters in Minnesota, providing insight into the political mood leading up to the election. While Harris holds an edge over Trump with a 4-point lead—48.8% to 44.6%—the real story lies in how independent voters are swinging in Trump’s favor. Independent voters appear to be rallying behind Trump with a staggering 40% support compared to only 23% for Harris. This is a notable shift in a state that is predominantly Democrat in voter registration, which, according to the polling data, indicates a potential shift in the voting landscape.
Doug Burgum says Trump “won the election today” with his speech at the New York Economic Club
Trump announced a plan to build a sovereign wealth fund like they have in North Dakota — where the citizens are amongst the wealthiest in the country 🔥 pic.twitter.com/5UZI45oXPd
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) September 6, 2024
This burgeoning support among independents is emblematic of a broader trend that could spell trouble for the Democrats. With a D+7 registration advantage, one might assume that the Democrats would have a stronghold on the election. However, the numbers tell a different story. The New York Post points out that the overall margin is tightening, and the independent voter demographic is acting like an icebreaker, clearing the way for Trump’s campaign in a territory that has traditionally eluded him.
Interestingly, Minnesota has not been a friendly venue for Republicans in recent presidential races. Trump came close to winning in 2016 but lost it to Hillary Clinton by a minuscule margin of fewer than 45,000 votes. Yet, with the evident shift in independent support, there are serious indications that Trump could either replicate this close performance or even surpass it in 2024. These trends suggest that if independents in Minnesota are reflecting a broader sentiment among independent voters nationwide, Trump could very well be on the path toward securing a second term.
The implications of this polling data stretch far beyond Minnesota. Should Trump’s appeal among independents hold steady, other battleground states could also feel the effects, making this election cycle one of the most interesting in recent memory. If past trends reflect future patterns, Republicans might be gearing up for a political comeback, fueled by the energetic backing of independents who might be starting to see the light and recognize the flaws in the current administration’s policies. The old adage that all politics is local may soon transform into a new chapter where independents rethink their allegiances—and elevate Trump back to the White House.
