The race for president is deadlocked, according to The Times’s final poll before Election Day. And the winner will very likely be decided in one of the seven battleground states where neither candidate holds a clear edge. But instead of making another appearance in Wisconsin or Pennsylvania, Kamala Harris is spending the evening in Texas.
The Harris campaign does not think she stands a chance of winning the state. Instead, Harris is hoping that her event, where she will be joined by Beyoncé and Willie Nelson, will transcend traditional politics. Her aides expect moments of the rally, which is focused on abortion rights, to deliver the sort of viral content that can cut through a cluttered media environment.
It’s a distinctly modern strategy that acknowledges that many voters experience politics mostly online. It’s also a way for the candidates to remain in the public eye despite the absence of another presidential debate.
Donald Trump is doing something similar. He also visited Texas today to appear on Joe Rogan’s incredibly popular podcast. And he is holding a rally on Sunday at Madison Square Garden in New York, a state his campaign acknowledges will vote for Harris.
More from the campaign trail:
Chinese hackers may have gained access to data from the phones of Trump and JD Vance, people familiar with the matter said.
As vice president, Harris has often tried to use government to target racism and sexism. But she isn’t running on that part of her record.
Gov. Ron DeSantis is going all out to defeat Florida’s abortion ballot question.
Election workers are facing a torrent of threats.
The Washington Post said it would not endorse a presidential candidate, breaking with decades of precedent.
A movement driven by disinformation about Trump’s 2020 defeat has taken over many boards that certify elections. It could cause chaos.