Trump ramps up campaign in 'crucial' Pennsylvania.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump conducted an intensive election campaign in the state of Pennsylvania, which could become pivotal in his attempt to return to the White House.

In particular, Trump visited the hometown of Vice President Kamala Harris, Scranton, and Reading, marking his fourth visit to Pennsylvania since early September, writes The Hill.

During his speeches, Trump sharply criticized Kamala Harris, blaming her for the rising prices under the current administration, particularly emphasizing energy costs. He also mentioned Harris's past support for banning fracking, a method of extracting oil and gas which is an important industry for Pennsylvania's economy.

"If Kamala Harris gets four more years, she will destroy Pennsylvania's energy industry, plunging communities across the state into darkness and despair," Trump said in Scranton.

Pennsylvania is considered one of the key states in the presidential race. In 2016, Trump won here by less than 70,000 votes, while in 2020 he lost by about 80,000 votes. Experts anticipate a similarly narrow margin this year.

According to the latest Quinnipiac University poll, Harris leads Trump among likely Pennsylvania voters with 49% against 46%. However, the average polling data from Decision Desk HQ/The Hill shows the candidates running nearly equal.

Trump's allies believe the key to victory will be increasing his support in the working-class areas of the state, such as Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Reading, and Johnstown, and reducing Harris's lead in areas around Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Harrisburg.

David Urban, an advisor to Trump's campaigns, claims the path to victory for the former president has become easier after Joe Biden dropped out of the race. "People knew Joe Biden, knew who he was. Overcoming Joe Biden was a much more complex task," Urban said. "No one knows Kamala Harris. And she's trying to define herself while simultaneously distancing from the current administration."

Preparation for elections in Pennsylvania

Both campaigns—Trump's and Harris's—are acutely aware of the significant role Pennsylvania will play in the November elections. During a stop in Butler last Saturday, Trump told supporters: "If we win Pennsylvania, we win it all."

The Harris campaign is also very active in the state. Next Monday, the Vice President will make her 10th visit to Pennsylvania since she replaced Joe Biden at the head of the Democratic ticket. Former President Barack Obama will hold his first solo campaign rally in Pittsburgh on Thursday.

Pennsylvania, with its 19 electoral votes, is likely to be decisive for the victory of both Trump and Harris. The clearest path to victory for Harris is to win the "blue" states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, plus the electoral vote from Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District. For Trump, winning Pennsylvania would mean he needs only to hold North Carolina and reclaim a state he won in 2016 and then lost in 2020, such as Georgia or Wisconsin.

Both campaigns are investing significant resources in Pennsylvania, spending millions of dollars on advertising and sending high-ranking representatives to meet with voters. It is expected that in the final weeks leading into the election, billionaire Elon Musk will hold campaign events in Pennsylvania to support Trump.

On the other hand, former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney held an event in Pennsylvania along with three former White House officials from the Trump era who have become outspoken critics of him.

Trump told supporters in Scranton that he intends to hold rallies in traditionally Democratic areas in the final weeks of the campaign, including New York, New Jersey, and California. However, his allies suggest that Pennsylvania is likely to remain a primary focus for the former president's visits.

"The one thing you can count on with Donald Trump is that he will run to the finish line," Urban said. "He won't take his foot off the gas pedal from today until November 5th. And that means plenty more visits to Pennsylvania."