**Kamala Harris Maintains Strong Lead Over Trump Among Black Voters in Battleground States**

A recent poll has indicated that Vice-President Kamala Harris continues to command a substantial lead over former President Donald Trump among Black likely voters in crucial battleground states. Howard University's Initiative on Public Opinion conducted the survey from October 2 to October 8, polling 981 Black likely voters across Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

The findings reveal that an overwhelming 84% of respondents plan to vote for Harris in the upcoming November election, while only 8% expressed their intention to support Trump. Another 8% remain undecided. The survey also highlighted the primary concerns of the respondents, ranking "democracy/voting rights/elections" as the top priority, followed by the economy and abortion rights.

The poll also gauged voter enthusiasm, with about 63% of respondents indicating they were "very excited" about voting in November. Opinions on the candidates showed a stark contrast, with 61% of respondents holding a "very favorable" opinion of Harris, compared to only 14% possessing a "very unfavorable" view of her. Trump, on the other hand, received a "very favorable" rating from just 10% of those surveyed, while a significant 74% viewed him "very unfavorably."

The margin of error for this poll stands at plus or minus 3.2 percentage points, but it's worth noting that Harris’s support among Black likely voters has slightly increased by two percentage points from a similar survey conducted by Howard University in September, where she secured 82% support. Conversely, Trump's support among the same demographic has decreased from 12% in September to 8% in the latest poll.

Interestingly, the previous poll had indicated that Trump had some traction among Black men under the age of 50 in battleground states, with one in five expressing support for him at that time. However, Harris still remained ahead within this group. This trend aligns with recent findings from a New York Times/Siena College poll, which suggested that Trump has made some gains among young Black and Hispanic male voters.

In an effort to further solidify her support, Harris announced a plan this week aimed at enhancing economic opportunities for Black men. The initiative includes offering forgivable business loans for Black entrepreneurs, creating more apprenticeship and mentorship programs, among other measures.

Overall, the poll underscores Harris's strong position among Black voters as the election approaches, while highlighting the ongoing challenges Trump faces in securing wider support within this key demographic.