A recent poll from Iowa has emerged as a potential game-changer in the 2024 U.S. presidential race, indicating that Vice President Kamala Harris is leading former President Donald Trump by three points in a state that has not supported a Democratic candidate since Barack Obama’s victory in 2012. The Des Moines Register poll, released on Saturday evening, underscores the competitive nature of this election cycle as both candidates vie for every available vote.

Although Iowa carries only six electoral votes, losing the state could complicate Trump’s path to re-election, as he aims to reclaim key battlegrounds from Harris and the Democrats. This latest survey is noteworthy not just for its results but also for its source: Ann Selzer, whose polling firm is highly regarded for its historical accuracy in Iowa.

The Selzer poll indicates that Harris’s lead is primarily driven by substantial support among college-educated white women. Many of these voters are reportedly mobilized by strong opposition to the rollback of abortion rights that has occurred since Trump’s first term. Iowa currently enforces a ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, a point at which many women may not yet be aware of their pregnancy. While exceptions are made for cases of rape, incest, serious fetal abnormalities, or threats to the mother’s life, the law has been met with widespread discontent, even among traditionally Republican-leaning women voters.

Upon the poll’s release, the Trump campaign swiftly responded with a press release highlighting a competing poll that shows their candidate maintaining a healthy lead in Iowa. This reaction reflects the heightened tensions and competitive atmosphere of the election as both campaigns prepare for a long fight ahead.

Nationally, polling indicates a closely contested race, with no clear frontrunner emerging in seven key swing states: Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Nevada, Georgia, and Arizona. The political landscape is further complicated by record-breaking early voting in several states, leading some analysts to question the polling industry’s ability to accurately reflect the electorate’s makeup in the current environment.

Moreover, since Harris took over the Democratic campaign from President Joe Biden earlier this summer, there has been relatively little presidential polling in several traditionally safe states. As both candidates gear up for the election, the shifting dynamics in Iowa could play a significant role in shaping their strategies moving forward. With less than a year until the election, every poll will be scrutinized as Harris and Trump battle for the crucial votes that could determine the next presidency.

Three months ago, Kamala Harris took to the national stage in a pivotal moment, marking her transition from Vice President to the Democratic presidential nominee following President Joe Biden’s decision not to seek re-election. With limited time to campaign, Harris made a strong pitch to the American people, drawing on her years as a California prosecutor to position herself as a tough candidate against her Republican opponent, Donald Trump.

In her first major address as a presidential candidate, Harris referenced her past, stating, “I took on perpetrators of all kinds—predators who abused women, fraudsters who ripped off consumers, cheaters who broke the rules for their own gain. So, hear me when I say: I know Donald Trump’s type.” This line has become central to her campaign, highlighting Trump’s legal issues while portraying herself as a steadfast prosecutor.

However, Harris’s career has not been without complexities. Her time as a prosecutor in California has been marked by both achievements and criticism. Beginning in Alameda County, she quickly made a name for herself handling cases during the height of the 1990s “war on drugs” and gang violence. Colleague Teresa Drenick recalled it as an intense period of “high stakes and serious crimes.” Later, in San Francisco, Harris’s political and legal trajectory intersected with influential figures, including former California Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, who introduced her to key Democratic donors and political networks.

Harris’s role as San Francisco District Attorney, which she won in 2003, was shaped by high-profile cases and her commitment to progressive causes. In 2004, she made a controversial decision not to seek the death penalty in the killing of a police officer, a stance that drew swift criticism from law enforcement and even U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein. Though the decision risked her political future, Harris defended it as a principled stance against capital punishment.

After rising through California’s legal and political ranks, Harris continued to navigate delicate issues as Attorney General. Her approach balanced criminal justice reform with traditional prosecutorial methods. She advocated for “smart-on-crime” policies aimed at steering non-violent offenders into training programs, yet at times took heat from both progressives and conservatives. In 2012, Harris negotiated a landmark $18 billion mortgage settlement with major banks during the housing crisis, an achievement she points to as proof of her readiness to take on powerful interests.

With public opinion shifting due to rising crime and homelessness in many U.S. cities, Harris has adapted her approach. The stance she once took as a “progressive prosecutor” is now being recontextualized to appeal to moderate Republicans and independents wary of Trump. This rebranding has drawn criticism from opponents who view her as inconsistent, with Trump’s running mate, Senator J.D. Vance, calling her a “chameleon.” However, Harris’s former campaign manager, Brian Brokaw, sees her pragmatism as a strength, stating, “She has carved her own path and left behind those who underestimated her.”

As Harris campaigns for the presidency, she re-embraces her prosecutorial roots, emphasizing experience and resilience. In her pitch against Trump, she’s banking on a message of accountability and conviction—two qualities she hopes will resonate in a political landscape where voters are increasingly concerned about leadership and integrity.

As the 2024 election approaches in just three months, thousands of supporters have flocked to Chicago for the Democratic National Convention, which kicked off with significant events and high-profile speakers. This week, the convention is being held at the United Center Arena, where Vice President Kamala Harris is the focal point of the party’s gathering.

The convention began on Monday with a powerful prime-time address from President Joe Biden. His speech, marked by emotional moments and enthusiastic applause, set the tone for the week. On Tuesday, the event featured the ceremonial roll call vote, in which state delegations officially endorsed the Harris-Walz ticket. The evening concluded with stirring speeches from former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, celebrating the party’s vision and leadership.

With President Biden having withdrawn from the race, Vice President Harris has been confirmed as the Democratic nominee for the 2024 presidential election. The roll call vote on Tuesday was largely symbolic, highlighted by performances from celebrities like rapper Lil Jon.

Wednesday’s program includes a notable lineup of Democratic leaders. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the party’s nominee for vice president, is set to deliver a key speech. The evening will also feature addresses from rising stars in the party, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Additionally, former President Bill Clinton, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries are scheduled to speak.

Senators Cory Booker of New Jersey, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota will also take the stage. Two Democratic governors, Shapiro and Moore, representing the new generation of party leadership, are expected to play prominent roles. The night will also include remarks from Olivia Troye, a former Trump administration official, and Geoff Duncan, the former lieutenant governor of Georgia.

The convention’s final and most anticipated event will occur on Thursday, when Vice President Harris will formally accept the presidential nomination. Her speech, themed “For the Future,” is expected to be a highlight of the convention.

Despite some delays on Monday, DNC organizers have adjusted the schedule to ensure a smooth flow of events. The convention is a crucial moment for the Democratic Party as it gears up for the upcoming election, showcasing its leadership and setting the stage for the campaign ahead.