On Wednesday, both former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris won early victories in the ongoing presidential election, according to projections by the Associated Press (AP). Trump secured nine states that lean Republican, while Harris won five states, largely in the Northeast and along the East Coast.
This election is significant for both candidates. Harris is aiming to make history as the first woman ever to become President, while Trump is hoping for a comeback, aiming to be the second U.S. President to serve non-consecutive terms after Grover Cleveland.
Trump’s early victories included Kentucky, where he has won in every election since 2000, securing eight electoral votes. He also took Indiana, a stronghold for Republicans, winning an additional 11 electoral votes. Trump has historically performed well in Indiana, winning nearly 60% of the vote in both 2016 and 2020.
Meanwhile, Harris captured Vermont, which has consistently supported Democratic candidates since 1992, giving her three electoral votes. She also won New Jersey with 14 electoral votes, along with Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island—states known for their Democratic leanings.
Trump’s victories continued with wins in West Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and South Carolina. He also triumphed in Florida, securing the state’s 30 electoral votes. As of the AP projections, Trump has earned 95 electoral votes, while Harris has 35.
The election is far from over, as the final outcome will depend on several battleground states, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. These states could decide the winner, and the race may take days to finalize if the results are close.
Voter turnout has been high, with many people citing concerns over democracy and the economy as their main reasons for voting. Trump, who has faced multiple assassination attempts during the campaign, cast his ballot earlier this week in Florida, emphasizing that if he loses, he will accept the results as long as the election is fair.
As the race continues to unfold, the country waits to see whether Harris will make history or if Trump will stage a historic comeback.
