Across the picturesque western mountains, affluent coastal towns, and diverse urban and rural landscapes of North Carolina, voters share a common sentiment: the final stretch of this election has been both exhausting and disconcerting. Following the devastation wrought by a recent hurricane and a shocking political scandal, the electorate is eager for a resolution.
As the presidential campaign enters its final days, the pivotal question looming over North Carolina is whether the Democrats, who have only secured the state’s electoral votes twice in the last fifty years, will once again face disappointment. Vice President Kamala Harris has forced former President Donald J. Trump to actively engage in North Carolina, a state he must likely win to reclaim the White House, right up until the election’s conclusion.
Both candidates have made frequent appearances in North Carolina, with plans to return in the crucial final days of their campaigns. Ms. Harris is scheduled to visit Charlotte on Saturday, while Mr. Trump has rallies planned in Greensboro and Gastonia on Saturday, followed by stops in Kinston on Sunday and Raleigh on Monday.
Democrats are optimistic about their chances in North Carolina this year, viewing it as their best opportunity to capture the state since Barack Obama won it in 2008 by a narrow margin of just 0.32 percent. Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democratic leader who is term-limited, has expressed a sense of nostalgia for that 2008 victory, noting the renewed energy that Ms. Harris has brought to the race since she stepped in to replace President Biden on the ticket.
However, Republicans are quick to temper the enthusiasm of the Democrats, asserting that they still maintain a strong advantage in a state where rural areas, along with a significant number of conservative-leaning suburbs and exurbs, remain steadfastly red.
In late October, volunteers supporting the Democratic Party gathered for a brief rally in Wilmington, N.C., showcasing their commitment and enthusiasm in these final days of campaigning.
