In the last moments of a fiercely competitive U.S. presidential race, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris crisscrossed Pennsylvania on Monday, both urging voters to cast their ballots in what could be one of the closest elections in recent history. As both candidates campaigned through critical battleground states, the spotlight remained on Pennsylvania, the largest prize among states poised to sway the final result in the Electoral College.
With a campaign season marked by dramatic turns—including two attempts on Trump’s life and a criminal conviction, as well as Harris’s unexpected rise as the Democratic nominee following President Joe Biden’s decision to step down—the stakes have only risen in intensity. Biden’s choice to exit the race, influenced by pressure within his own party, positioned Harris, 60, as the Democratic candidate, a historic shift that has transformed the race’s dynamics.
As Election Day looms, polling data reveals a tight race, with Trump, 78, and Harris almost deadlocked, making this election too close to call. AdImpact, a political analytics firm, estimates that over $2.6 billion has been poured into efforts to influence undecided voters since the spring, underscoring the intense competition to win over voters in critical swing states.
Trump, signaling a readiness to challenge any unfavorable result—as he did after the 2020 election—has further stirred anxieties about post-election tensions. Despite the high stakes and uncertainties, both candidates remained resolute, addressing large crowds in Pennsylvania with calls to make every vote count in the decisive hours leading up to Tuesday’s election.
While the final outcome may take days to verify, Pennsylvania’s 20 electoral votes are likely to play a central role in shaping the next chapter of American leadership. With both campaigns determined to clinch victory, the nation watches closely, bracing for what could be a prolonged and historic conclusion to this hard-fought election.