Staff Reports
Former President Donald Trump’s campaign team members are eyeing the traditionally Democratic states of Minnesota and Virginia as states that could potentially sway toward the Republican party in the upcoming 2024 general election.
While Virginia has consistently voted for Democratic presidents since 2008, Minnesota’s track record with Democratic presidential candidates goes back even further, having consistently supported them since 1976.
Trump campaign puts reliably blue Minnesota and Virginia back in play to flip red https://t.co/YjlWdHvgco #SmartNews
— Karen aka @djt_Susan (@SaintDonald45) May 7, 2024
Senior Trump adviser Chris LaCivita expressed confidence in the GOP’s prospect in expanding their influence in these states, telling NBC News that they see “a real opportunity in expanding the map in Virginia and Minnesota.”
Next week, Trump is scheduled to host a GOP annual dinner in Minnesota, marking his first visit to the state this campaign season. The Minnesota Republican Party Chairman David Hann welcomed Trump’s visit, emphasizing the event’s significance in upholding the party’s foundational values.
Conversely, Minnesota Democrats remain doubtful about Trump’s chances in the state. In 2016, Trump lost Minnesota by more than 43,000 votes, and in 2020, by a significantly wider margin of over 233,000 votes.
Chairman of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Ken Martin cautioned against doubling down on Trump and his policies, suggesting that embracing the “MAGA agenda” would force Republican candidates to justify their departure from “Minnesota values” and alignment with Trump.
In Virginia, Trump also faced defeat in both 2016 and 2020, with substantial vote margins. However, a recent poll from Roanoke College indicated Trump trailing Biden by only 4 points in the state, inspiring optimism among Trump’s campaign officials.
This revelation from Trump’s camp comes as the Biden campaign is setting its sights on North Carolina and Florida, two historically pivotal swing states that have trended towards Republicans in recent years, believing they could potentially shift to the Democratic side.
The Biden campaign views Florida as a significant battleground following the implementation of strict abortion policies and expects to make a concerted effort to win voters in the state. This sentiment is echoed in the campaign’s decision to open its first office in Florida last month.
Jasmine Burney-Clark, a top Biden campaign staff member, underscored the importance of Florida in the fight for fundamental freedoms and emphasized the campaign’s steadfast commitment to securing a victory.
The strategic alignment of the Trump and Biden campaigns signals a looming showdown in 2024, with both sides aiming to gain ground in critical states that have the potential to shape the outcome of the upcoming general election.
