Harris Trails Biden Among Black and Hispanic Voters in Sun Belt, CNN Data Shows

Vice President Kamala Harris is facing challenges with Black and Hispanic voters in the Sun Belt region compared to former President Biden's performance in 2020, according to CNN data guru Harry Enten.

Vice President Kamala Harris is facing challenges with Black and Hispanic voters in the Sun Belt region compared to former President Biden's performance in 2020, according to CNN data guru Harry Enten.

Citing polling data from the New York Times and Siena College, Enten pointed out that while former President Trump has a slight advantage over Harris in the Sun Belt states of Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina, the latter two of which Biden won, Harris's numbers among Hispanic and Black voters in the region are lagging behind Biden's.

Harris Trails Biden Among Black and Hispanic Voters in Sun Belt, CNN Data Shows

In Arizona, Biden won the Hispanic vote by 66% in 2020, while Harris currently trails at 52%. Similarly, Biden received 92% of the Black vote in the Sun Belt in 2020, while Harris currently stands at 83%.

"So the bottom line is, in the Sun Belt, which is much more diverse than the northern battleground states up in the Great Lakes, Kamala Harris is struggling among voters of color," Enten said.

Harris Trails Biden Among Black and Hispanic Voters in Sun Belt, CNN Data Shows

Enten further highlighted that among Sun Belt voters, 31% are most concerned about the economy and inflation, 16% about immigration, and another 16% about abortion. He noted that the first two of these issues are areas where Trump tends to perform well.

Tapper asked what would happen if Harris maintains her hold on the less diverse blue wall states up north while Trump maintains his advantage in the Sun Belt.

Harris Trails Biden Among Black and Hispanic Voters in Sun Belt, CNN Data Shows

"Oh my goodness, look how close this race is. 276 electoral votes to Donald Trump’s 262 because she carries these Great Lake battleground states, even if she loses in North Carolina, Georgia, and Arizona," Enten replied. "But the bottom line is this, Mr. Tapper, this race is way too close to call based upon the polling that I currently see."

Enten's analysis adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that the upcoming midterm elections will be closely contested. With the economy and immigration emerging as key issues, both parties will need to carefully craft their messaging to appeal to the diverse electorate in the Sun Belt region.