Trump Leads Presidential Race as Results Continue to Roll In

Former U.S. President Donald Trump currently holds a lead over Vice President Kamala Harris in the ongoing presidential election, with early returns indicating his strength across multiple states. As of 5:44 a.m. Nigerian time, Trump has garnered 230 Electoral College votes, while Harris is behind with 205 votes.

The Associated Press, a prominent news organization, has reported the election results on a state-by-state basis as they unfold. Here’s a breakdown of Trump and Harris’s performances in key states:

Midwestern and Western Results

In Nebraska, Trump secured the statewide popular vote, winning two electoral votes in this state where electoral votes are divided based on congressional districts. Nebraska hasn’t favored a Democratic presidential candidate since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. Meanwhile, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming—historically Republican strongholds—also backed Trump, adding to his electoral vote count.

Southern States Favor Trump

Trump continued his dominance in the South, winning states like Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Alabama. Louisiana gave him eight electoral votes, while Mississippi’s GOP leaders endorsed him overwhelmingly. These wins add to a longstanding pattern in which southern states have remained largely conservative.

In a significant victory, Trump captured Georgia, a crucial battleground state. With a commanding 63.5% of the vote, his win there brought his electoral total to 230, dealing a notable setback to Harris’s path to the White House. Additionally, Trump carried South Carolina and North Carolina, securing all nine of South Carolina’s electoral votes, while North Carolina reaffirmed his hold in the region.

Northeast and Midwest: Harris Gains Ground

Kamala Harris found strong support in northeastern states, securing New York’s 28 electoral votes. This blue-state tradition continues a trend since 1984, with New York consistently favoring Democratic candidates. Harris also won Illinois, Maryland, and Massachusetts, states that have reliably voted Democratic for decades.

Harris claimed other victories in New Jersey, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Vermont, adding to her electoral count. In each of these states, longstanding Democratic preferences have prevailed, with AP declaring Harris the winner shortly after polls closed in each location.

Trump’s Wins Across the Plains and Heartland

Trump’s campaign saw continued success across the central U.S., claiming Oklahoma, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Notably, Trump has secured West Virginia’s four electoral votes in three consecutive elections, with the state’s shift towards the GOP reflected in its full slate of Republican leaders. In Kentucky, where he has previously collaborated with local Republican leaders, Trump maintained his winning streak.

Florida Stays Red, Boosting Trump’s Count

The Associated Press called Florida for Trump after he won the state’s 30 electoral votes. Once a critical battleground, Florida has moved toward a Republican stronghold, voting in favor of Trump since 2016. With this win, Trump’s position in the race strengthens, as Florida holds a substantial portion of electoral influence.

Summing Up the Race

As the election continues, Trump’s hold on traditionally conservative states bolsters his position, while Harris solidifies support in Democrat-dominated regions. The race remains close, with each candidate seeking to secure the required 270 electoral votes. Trump’s performance in key states, including his adopted home of Florida and battlegrounds like Georgia, provides a significant advantage. Meanwhile, Harris’s victories across Democratic strongholds reflect the divided national landscape, with critical swing states yet to fully report.