Chicago voters are making their voices heard about Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election 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 is a major concern.
Chicago crime statistics show the city will hit a decade-high for homicides in 2023, with 617 people killed last year alone, the highest number 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 residents of the Windy City during the Democratic National Convention this week, DailyMail.com discovered that many have doubts about the Democratic front-runner who will present her candidacy to voters later today on the final night of the DNC.
“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, particularly 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. Voters in Chicago expressed their admiration and skepticism toward Harris, who was partly committed along party lines, but many were uncertain about her political positions.
“I’m glad the DNC is here so they can see how the city is functioning and operating,” he continued, “I still don’t know who I would vote for.”
“Nine times out of ten it would be the Democratic Party’s elected official, Kamala, but the jury is still out.”
“I really don’t know what she’s about now,” Phil told DailyMail.com. “She’s given one interview since she entered the race, so I just want to hear more from her.”
He was not alone in doubting the vice president’s capabilities.
“I don’t really have anything nice to say. I’ve heard her speak a couple of times, and I just don’t know that she’s just not a great candidate,” said Maritza, a Chicago resident.
“I would say the same thing about Donald Trump,” she added. “I’m not really for what they’re supporting, or where they’re trying to take this country.”
However, Maritza did say that she is more attracted to Donald Trump because of his economic policies.
“Our economy is really in the dumps right now, and it just has to get better. The US dollar is [beat] through so many countries, so it’s really quite scary.’
Maritza told DailyMail.com that she is not sure who she will vote for, but if she has to choose between the two, she is leaning towards Donald Trump
Matt said he’s supporting Harris because Trump ‘has done some things that I don’t really find acceptable’
Matt, a 20-year-old Chicago resident, told DailyMail.com that he plans to vote for the vice president.
“Probably Kamala, just because Trump has done some things that I don’t really find acceptable, so I’d rather choose the lesser evil.”
He added that her background in law “has a lot to offer,” while Trump “was just born into money.”
Crime in Chicago is his top priority in the upcoming election, something he admits is becoming more and more of a problem.
Pierre, an immigrant from Haiti, also said he will support Harris in November.
“She will be the first woman president,” he told DailyMail.com, adding that he admires her immigration policies and hopes she will implement them from the White House.
Pierre said he is excited to support a mixed-race woman for president
But on the issues he cares about most — crime and the economy — Pierre said Harris still had room for improvement, calling her skills on those fronts “questionable.”
“But I’m sure she would learn how to solve some of those problems.”
Trump “has a not so great track record,” Pierre added, referring to his previous bankruptcies.
I think she will play a positive role [model] “Someone who will unite our entire country, I hope,” Jeannette said of Kamala.
The older Chicago resident who was grocery shopping said she doesn’t know much about the vice president’s policies.
Some Chicago voters were unsure about Harris’ economic policies
Jeannette admitted she doesn’t know much about Harris’ policies, but she still likes her
“She’s done a lot,” she asserted, but admitted that she “hasn’t kept track of everything she’s done.”
Ken told DailyMail.com: ‘I would definitely support the Democratic ticket. So I would have voted for Joe Biden, and I’m going to vote for Kamala Harris.’
When asked what he liked about Harris’ record, he quickly responded: “I think she’s a proponent of democracy, not a fascist dictatorship.”
Joe, a “lifelong Democrat,” was enthusiastic about the possibility of a Harris presidency.
“I think it would be history if we had the first mixed-race black woman as president of our country.”
“I think it breaks the glass ceiling, and I’m all for that.”
