Why has Kamala Harris had a hard time winning over women voters?

Harris’ support, especially from women, was not as strong as her campaign had hoped, and it became clear that her efforts to rally female voters against Donald Trump’s controversial rhetoric and policies were not having the expected results.

“I think going into the election there were high expectations about how women would vote,” said Sabrina Karim, a professor at Cornell University. “But it is always important to remember that women are not a monolithic group” and “their problems are multifaceted,” Karim said.

Trump dominates among men and enjoys the support of white women

Former President Donald Trump showed tremendous strength among male voters, leading Harris by 13 points, compared with an eight-point lead over Biden in the previous election. Trump also performed better among white women, a key demographic, while Harris saw the most support among black female voters. “The Harris campaign’s strong focus on abortion likely motivated some women to vote, but the issue alone was not enough to get a wide range of women to vote for Harris,” Kareem said.

Natalie Feldgan, a New York lawyer, expressed support for Trump, saying she felt it was time for him to return to the White House, pointing to the economic situation and rising inflation as key factors in her decision. “A country has no borders. It’s not a country,” said Feldgan, who was convinced by the Republican’s harsh anti-immigration rhetoric.

Economics, inflation and the role of women in the household play a key role.

The state of the economy, especially rising inflation, was a major factor influencing the election results. Many women, who are often the main buyers in their families, have felt the impact of soaring prices for everyday goods. While Harris focused on abortion rights and other issues important to women, it was clear that economic concerns played a large role in many voters’ choices.

“I have five children and the economy has been bad for the last three and a half years,” Tessa Bonet, a 51-year-old Guyanese immigrant living in New York, said at Trump’s giant rally at Madison Square Garden. . “I’m here for change and my eyes are wide open,” she said. “Trump means good to us—yes, to everyday Americans.”

Harris’ campaign also did not particularly emphasize her identity as a black woman of South Asian descent. Instead, she relied on high-profile surrogates such as former first lady Michelle Obama, former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney and even pop stars such as Beyoncé to help connect with voters. But those efforts, along with endorsements from celebrities like Taylor Swift, haven’t stopped Trump from gaining popularity, especially among women voters.

Trump’s rhetoric and Harris’ last-minute strategy cannot change the outcome

Trump’s aggressive rhetoric on the campaign trail also appears to have resonated with some voters, despite his controversial remarks. Just a week before Election Day, he made headlines by declaring at a rally, “I want to protect the women of our country…whether women like it or not.” He also made derogatory comments about Harris, calling her “mentally retarded” and “retarded,” and suggesting that if elected, she would be manipulated by world leaders.

In a last-ditch effort to win over conservative women, Harris’ campaign ran controversial ad featuring woman secretly voting for Harrisdespite her husband supporting Trump.

“In the only place in America where women still have the right to choose, you can vote however you want and no one will ever know,” Roberts says.

“Did you make the right choice?” the husband asks his wife, who replies, “Of course, honey,” exchanging a smile and a wink with another female voter.

However, the strategy failed to sway many voters, as exit polls showed Harris struggled to win the support of women in more conservative households. “It was an attractive idea, but we now know it’s just wishful thinking,” said Alex Kina, a political science professor at Virginia Commonwealth University.

According to Karim, “the gender dynamic is not just about women, but also about the masculine appeal that Trump has for a wide range of men.”

Latino voters lean toward Trump, further complicating Harris’ chances

Harris’ campaign has also faced setbacks from Latino voters, a group that largely supported Biden in previous elections. This time around, however, Trump made significant gains among Latino voters, compounding the challenges Harris faced in building a broad coalition of support.