In a significant turnaround from the 2020 election, former President Donald Trump has been projected to win Pennsylvania’s 19 electoral votes, as reported by the Associated Press at 2:24 a.m. on Wednesday. This victory is crucial for Trump, who lost the state to Joe Biden four years ago.
A Hard-Fought Battle
The race in Pennsylvania was intensely competitive, with both Trump and Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris campaigning vigorously across the state. Harris ascended to the top of the Democratic ticket after President Biden unexpectedly dropped his reelection bid in July, following a dismal debate performance against Trump. If elected, Harris would have made history as the first Black and Asian-American woman president.
Election Day in Pennsylvania was marked by uncertainty, primarily due to the counting process for mail-in ballots. State officials had anticipated a delay in reporting clear results because canvassing of mail ballots could only commence at 7 a.m. on Election Day, a timeline that proved challenging in larger urban areas like Philadelphia.
Both candidates recognized the importance of Pennsylvania, knowing that neither had a viable path to victory without it. This state, a key part of the “blue wall” that former President Barack Obama successfully defended, shifted to Trump in 2016 when he narrowly defeated Hillary Clinton by about 45,000 votes. Biden reclaimed the state in 2020, winning by approximately 80,000 votes.
Trump’s Resilient Campaign
Trump’s early start to the 2024 campaign put him in a strong position as he capitalized on Biden’s low approval ratings, largely attributed to ongoing inflation issues affecting American households. Throughout the campaign, Trump faced not just political hurdles but also personal threats, surviving two assassination attempts in 2024. One incident in Butler in July resulted in the tragic death of a rally attendee, which only seemed to galvanize Trump’s supporters.
Images of Trump, particularly one showing him with a bloodied ear and raised fist, became symbolic of his resilience and determination during this tumultuous election season.
Election Results
As of 3 a.m. on Wednesday, unofficial results from the Pennsylvania Department of State showed Trump leading with 3,388,383 votes, accounting for 51% of the total. In comparison, Harris garnered 3,203,028 votes, or 48%. Additionally, third-party candidates Green Party’s Jill Stein and Libertarian Chase Oliver received 32,090 votes (0.48%) and 31,555 votes (0.47%), respectively.
Trump’s projected victory in Pennsylvania underscores a critical shift in the political landscape, potentially reshaping the dynamics of the 2024 presidential election as the results continue to unfold.
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