The US presidential election has entered the sprint stage, with Pennsylvania emerging as the main battleground for the two parties. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary and Republican candidate Trump have increasingly focused their attention and campaign resources on this crucial swing state.
Pennsylvania, known as PA, is the most populous swing state with 19 electoral votes. In the 2016 election, Trump narrowly won PA by less than 0.75 percentage points, while in 2020, Biden defeated Trump by a slim margin.
According to Bloomberg, Aubrey Montgomery from the Democratic consulting firm Rittenhouse Political Partners emphasized that Pennsylvania is the biggest election battleground.
Republican strategist Lisa Camooso Miller stated that PA is “extremely meaningful” and added, “We just don’t know how the results will turn out.”
Franklin & Marshall College polling director Berwood Yost mentioned, “Pennsylvania is obviously the biggest battleground.”
Yost further explained that one reason PA is challenging to win is due to its diverse ideological landscape. While rural areas lean conservative, cities like Philadelphia tend to be more liberal.
The Hill reported that Lara Trump, co-chair of the Republican National Committee, acknowledged the intense competition in PA and highlighted it as a “must-win state.”
Experts predict that Pennsylvania could be a tipping point state in the election, potentially pushing either Hillary or Trump into the lead in electoral votes.
The views expressed by media and industry insiders underscore Pennsylvania’s critical role in the election.
Both Democratic and Republican camps are increasing their focus on PA as the election approaches.
The economy is expected to be a key issue in PA, with both campaigns addressing economic concerns and unemployment worries.
It is reported that Hillary has set up 50 coordination offices across urban and rural counties in PA, with over 350 field staff members.
Trump’s campaign team has established over 20 offices in PA, including a Hispanic outreach office in Reading and an African American outreach office in Philadelphia, as part of broader efforts to reach voters.
Both candidates have made multiple visits to PA in recent weeks, with campaign teams and party committees booking $153 million worth of advertising time for the final sprint after Labor Day.
On September 10, the first presidential debate between Hillary and Trump will be held in Philadelphia, further highlighting the importance of PA.
Hillary visited Pittsburgh on Thursday, marking her tenth visit to PA this year. She is expected to spend five days in PA ahead of the debate with Trump in Philly on September 10.
Winning support from organized labor in western PA counties and rural communities is crucial for both parties. Hillary has secured endorsements from union leaders, while Trump’s agenda has attracted blue-collar workers.
Trump has hosted at least eight events in PA this year, including a rally in Butler where he survived an assassination attempt, sustaining a minor injury to his ear.