US Presidential Race Gender Clash

Shazia Mehboob

Islamabad:  The 2024 presidential race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump has highlighted a significant gender divide in voter preferences.

Harris, the Democratic candidate and a woman of Black and South Asian heritage, is aiming to become the first female president of the United States. 

Her opponent, Trump, known for his controversial views on women and restrictive abortion policies, contrasts sharply with her platform. Recent CBS polling shows that 56 percent of women support Harris, while 44 percent support Trump.

Among men, Trump leads with 54 percent support compared to Harris’s 45 percent. The Siena/New York Times poll presents an even clearer picture: Harris has 56 percent support among women, while Trump has only 35 percent.

Conversely, Trump leads with 52 percent support among men, with Harris at 39 percent.

President Joe Biden has emphasized the importance of this gender gap, highlighting the influence of women in the upcoming election. This gap is particularly notable following the 2022 Supreme Court decision that revoked federal abortion rights, a decision Trump has endorsed.

Analysts describe this gender divide as unprecedented, with pollster Frank Luntz calling it a “chasm.” He suggests that this deep polarization could lead to significant personal consequences, such as strained relationships or even divorces.

Trump’s campaign has frequently targeted Harris with personal attacks, focusing on her appearance, intelligence, and mannerisms. These attacks have mobilized the Democratic base, particularly women who react negatively to such disrespect and rally around candidates who offer a forward-looking vision.

Trump’s campaign emphasizes traditional masculine traits and his own strength, appealing to voters who feel contemporary norms undervalue these traits. Law professor Sonia Gipson Rankin notes that this approach resonates with those feeling alienated by modern standards.

In response, Harris has positioned herself as a leader who uplifts others, criticizing Trump’s aggressive rhetoric as contrary to true leadership. The debate over reproductive rights has further deepened the gender divide, with conservative states imposing strict abortion restrictions, exacerbating voter polarization.

Rankin suggests that while abortion remains a key issue, candidates must address a broader range of concerns to connect with all voters.

Unlike Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign, Harris’s bid has not focused on the historic nature of potentially becoming the first female president. 

Analysts warn that this gender divide may reflect broader generational trends, with young men and women increasingly diverging in their political preferences.

The review of the US election is based on recent survey polls. 

The writer is an investigative journalist based in Islamabad, a visiting lecturer, and the editor of PenPK.com. She tweets @thepenpk.