Pennsylvania lieutenant governor warns against ‘underestimating’ Trump’s appeal in the state

Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman (D) warned Tuesday, a week from Election Day, against “underestimating” President Trump’s appeal in the state.

Fetterman told Hill.TV’s “Rising” that he thinks the national media is “not understanding” Trump’s support in the Keystone State, citing The Economist’s prediction that Democratic nominee Joe Biden has a 93 percent chance of winning there. 

“I don’t believe it’s that strong,” he said. “I would never make the mistake of underestimating Donald Trump’s appeal in popularity in Pennsylvania. I refused to make that mistake in 2016, and I was proven right.”

The lieutenant governor pointed out that on Monday, Trump gathered crowds at a trio of rallies in Allentown, Lititiz and Martinsburg, even during the coronavirus pandemic. 

“He has appeal, and he has a base here in Pennsylvania, and I would never underestimate it,” he said. “I’m encouraged by the polling, what I see, but … I would never peg at 93 percent chance of carrying Pennsylvania.”

Pennsylvania is likely to serve as a key state in the 2020 election with its 20 electoral votes. Polls have consistently shown Trump, who in 2016 won the state by fewer than 50,000 votes, trailing Biden.


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