Recent polling in Kansas shows Vice President Kamala Harris closely trailing former President Donald Trump, with only a 5-point gap separating the two. This poll, conducted by Fort Hays State University between September 26 and October 16, indicates that Trump’s support sits at 48.2% compared to Harris’s 43.2% among registered voters.
While other polls have shown Trump leading by up to 16 points, this particular survey suggests a possible shift in voter sentiment. Historically, Kansas has favored Republicans significantly—Trump won by 21 points in 2016 and 15 points in 2020.
Interestingly, Kansas residents are reporting a more optimistic view of their economy, with a drop in those feeling it is weakening—from 43.7% in 2022 to 37.6% now. “Kansans’ rating of the Kansas economy has become more positive in the past three years,” noted Jian Sun, a co-author of the survey.
Carlos Osorio/AP
However, concerns persist: 51.2% of respondents indicated that inflation has heavily impacted their families, and 59% expressed dissatisfaction with President Biden’s performance.
The issue of abortion also appears contentious among Kansas voters. Although there are no direct ballot measures this election cycle, recent state legislation has shown significant pushback. Over 50% of Kansans oppose new laws related to abortion, while support for unrestricted access has grown to about 55%.
“These responses seem to oppose the prevailing legislative trend,” said political science professor Alexandra Middlewood. Abortion rights have emerged as a vital issue for the Democrats this campaign, especially for female voters, with Harris championing reproductive freedoms.
In contrast, Trump remains entangled in the controversial aftermath of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision, having previously appointed conservative justices. His current stance on the issue remains vague, particularly regarding a potential national abortion ban.