Chicago voters are revealing how they really feel about Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential race against Donald Trump as their city struggles with crime.
Most still support Harris, but some admit to DailyMail.com that they felt better under former President Donald Trump and his handling of the economy, one of their main concerns.
Chicago crime statistics show the city hit a decade-high for murders in 2023, with 617 deaths last year alone — the most in the country for a major city. And crime has seeped into the DNC after a Democratic delegate was robbed at gunpoint by a man in a ski mask early Thursday morning.
Speaking to local residents in the windswept city during the Democratic National Convention this week, DailyMail.com found that many actually have doubts about the Democratic front-runner who will make her pitch to voters on the final night of the Democratic National Convention later today.
“I think Kamala has done a lot of the heavy lifting for this administration,” Phil said. But he continued: “The jury is still out on what she’s going to deliver, specifically to minorities, to black people, to people like the city of Chicago.”
U.S. Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign rally in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S., August 20, 2024. Chicago voters expressed both admiration and skepticism toward Harris, some of it devout along party lines, but many were unsure of her policy stances.
“I’m glad the DNC is here so I can see how the city works and operates,” he continued, revealing, “I’m still undecided on who I would vote for.”
“Nine times out of ten, it would be the Democratic Party’s choice, i.e. Kamala, but the jury is still out.”
“I don’t really know what she stands for at the moment,” Phil told DailyMail.com. “She’s only done one interview since she entered the race, so I just want to know more about her.”
He was not the only one who doubted the vice president’s abilities.
“I don’t have anything good to say. I’ve heard her speak several times and I don’t know if she’s a really good candidate,” said Maritza, a Chicago resident.
“I would say the same thing about Donald Trump,” he added. “I don’t agree with either of them, with what they stand for or with the place they want to occupy in this country.”
However, Maritza said she was more attracted to Donald Trump because of his economic policies.
“Our economy is really in shambles right now and needs to improve. The US dollar is being outperformed by many countries, so it’s really scary.”
Maritza told DailyMail.com that she is not sure who she will vote for, but would lean towards Donald Trump if she had to choose between the two.
Matt said he supports Harris because Trump has “done some things that I really don’t find too acceptable.”
Matt, a Chicago resident in his twenties, told DailyMail.com he plans to vote for the vice president.
“Probably Kamala, just because, I mean, Trump has done some things that I don’t really find too acceptable, so I’d rather go with the lesser evil.”
He added that his legal background “gives him a lot,” while Trump was “simply born with money.”
Crime in Chicago is his top priority in the upcoming election, something he admits has been a growing problem.
Pierre, an immigrant from Haiti, also said he will support Harris in November.
“She will be the first female president,” he told DailyMail.com, adding that he likes her immigration policy and looks forward to seeing her implement it from the Oval Office.
Pierre said he is excited to endorse a mixed-race woman for president.
But on the issues he considers most important — crime and the economy — Pierre said Harris could still show improvement, calling her ability on those fronts “questionable.”
“But I’m pretty sure I would learn, you know, how to solve some of those problems.”
Trump “has a track record that’s not so good,” Pierre added, pointing to his past bankruptcies.
“I think she’ll be a positive role model for our entire country and someone who will probably unite us, I hope,” Jeannette said of Kamala.
The elderly Chicago resident who was running errands shared, however, that she doesn’t know much about the vice president’s political record.
Some Chicago voters were unsure of Harris’ economic policies
Jeannette admitted that she doesn’t know many of Harris’ policies, but she still likes her.
“He’s done quite a few things,” he said flatly before admitting that he “hasn’t kept a record of what he’s done.”
Ken told DailyMail.com: “I would definitely support the Democratic ticket. That’s why I would have voted for Joe Biden and I’m going to vote for Kamala Harris.”
When pressed on what he likes about Harris’s record, he quickly responded: “I think she’s pro-democracy, rather than a fascist dictatorship.”
Joe, a “lifelong Democrat,” was excited about the possibility of a Harris presidency.
“I think it would be historic if we had our first black woman of mixed race as president of our country.”
“I think we’re breaking the glass ceiling and I’m all for it.”
