As the presidential election heats up, the outreach toward Polish American voters is intensifying as well.
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are competing for support from this influential community, which could sway critical battleground states.
Harris aims to leverage Polish Americans’ deep-seated aversion to Russia and Trump’s reluctance to fully back Ukraine.
Last week, the Democratic vice president’s team organized a national call with Polish American supporters. The goal was to rally local networks to host events and spread the campaign’s message. This strategic move is aimed at mobilizing Polish American voters who could be crucial in tight races.
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump during a town hall event at the Dort Financial Center in Flint, Mich., Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. Some Polish American voters are concerned about Trumps stance toward Ukraine.
Paul Sancya/AP Photo
Though Polish Americans are not the largest demographic, many live in key “blue wall” states. There are approximately 784,000 in Michigan, 758,000 in Pennsylvania, and 481,000 in Wisconsin. Harris is visiting these states this week. Her campaign sees these voters as essential in the tight races that will determine the election outcome.
Tom Malinowski, a Polish-born former Democratic congressman from New Jersey, noted, “We’re talking about an election where a swing of a few thousand voters in any of those states could make all the difference.”
Filip Jotevski, who is responsible for engaging with diaspora and ethnic communities, said on Wednesday’s Harris organizing call that if Trump returns to power, “he’ll sell out Ukraine” after years of “cozying up to Vladimir Putin.”
Trump had planned to visit a Polish American shrine in Pennsylvania on Sunday to unveil a monument to the Solidarity movement but canceled the visit, according to a source familiar with the Republican candidate’s plans.
During the Sept. 10 debate in Philadelphia, Trump twice refused to clarify whether he wanted Ukraine to win the war against Russia. He suggested, “Negotiate a deal,” which Harris countered by saying if Trump had been president during the invasion, “Putin would be sitting in Kyiv with his eyes on the rest of Europe.”
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris participate during an ABC News presidential debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. The Polish American community was pushed into the spotlight during the debate, when Trump twice refused to say whether he wanted Ukraine to win the war against Russia.
Alex Brandon/AP Photo
Gosia Dodi, a Polish American resident in Michigan, expressed her agreement with Harris, saying, “I absolutely agree” that Russia could target Poland if Ukraine falls. She criticized Trump’s approach as “dangerous for Poland,” adding, “I want the war over, but not the way he’s saying.”
Trump’s past suggestions to withdraw from NATO and his demands for increased defense spending have raised concerns. Pete Alibali, an immigrant from Soviet-controlled Poland, views Putin as a “predator” and worries about the security of smaller Baltic nations if Ukraine is defeated.
Tom Kolano, a Republican from Pittsburgh, remains optimistic about Trump’s stance, believing that Poland will influence U.S. policy on Ukraine. John Laka, from Wisconsin, expressed skepticism about Harris, stating, “She’s just really lacking.”
The outcome in these crucial battleground states will hinge on which candidate can secure the support of Polish American voters. The ongoing debate over Ukraine’s fate will likely continue to play a central role in shaping their decision.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
