Recent polling data reveals Vice President Kamala Harris is facing stiffer competition than expected in her race against President Donald Trump. A Cygnal poll released Thursday shows Harris barely leading Trump by 0.6%, with the race becoming even tighter when third-party candidates like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are included. In that scenario, Trump edges out Harris, highlighting the challenge she faces in broadening her support.

Pollster Chris Lane noted that Harris’ campaign has primarily consolidated traditional Democratic voters but struggles with key swing voters. Harris faces the additional obstacle of being labeled “liberal” by 71% of voters—a characterization that threatens her ability to win over Independents and moderates. Meanwhile, Trump holds strong leads on issues such as the economy, inflation, and illegal immigration.

These polling trends parallel the 2020 controversy when Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger resisted demands to validate mail-in ballot signatures and opted for a recount instead—a move criticized for not addressing underlying concerns over ballot legitimacy. Similarly, Harris’ perceived inability to address core issues like rising inflation and border control may limit her appeal in the general election.

Although Harris holds a solid lead on “abortion and reproductive issues,” where 51.5% trust her more than Trump, her performance on other key issues remains weak. With the race tightening and swing states remaining critical, the early honeymoon period for Harris seems to be fading.