After her first and potentially only debate with Donald Trump in Pennsylvania, Kamala Harris feels the odds have turned in her favour
US. ELECTION: The betting odds changed in favor of Vice President Kamala Harris after her debate with former President Donald Trump. In their first and maybe last debate, Harris and Trump squared off in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday night. The contest offered them a chance to seize the support of moderate and undecided voters, as polls indicate that the election is close in many crucial battleground states. Less than two months before the election, they made their appeal to voters by debating topics including the economy, foreign policy, and abortion.
After the debate, in which the two candidates sometimes traded jabs, the betting odds moved in favor of Harris, according to two bookies.
After the debate, BetOnline’s odds, which had been in favor of Trump, changed to favor Harris.
BetOnline gave Harris a slim advantage of -120 as of Tuesday night at 11 p.m., with Trump behind her at +110. This is a change from Tuesday morning at 9 a.m., when the bookmaker had Trump slightly ahead at -120 and Harris at +100.
Harris was favored with 50.9 percent of wagers only minutes before the debate. But by 11 p.m., 54.4 percent of wagers were on Harris to win the November election.
Josh Barton, a BetOnline representative, told a media report that “the betting public has reacted in unison,” adding that “it certainly felt like Kamala Harris was in control of tonight’s debate.”
Polymarket, a different bookmaker, also showed a change in odds in favor of Harris. Following the debate, they projected a 49 percent likelihood of victory for both Trump and Harris.
An hour before the debate started, at 8 p.m., they projected that Trump would win with a 52 percent probability and Harris with a 46 percent chance.
Although bookies seemed to believe Harris won the debate, it’s unclear how much this will benefit Harris based on surveys that indicated both candidates were still in the running for the Electoral College before the debate.
Shortly after the debate, Jen O’Malley Dillon, the chair of Harris’ campaign, said in a statement that Harris is prepared for a rematch with Trump in October.
“Under the bright lights, the American people saw the choice they will face at the polls this fall: going backwards with Trump or forwards with Kamala Harris,” said Jen O’Malley Dillon, chair of the Harris-Walz campaign. “They need to see it in a follow-up discussion in October, as well as what they saw today. Harris, the vice president, is prepared for another argument. Is Donald Trump?
But according to Trump, Harris is just seeking a rematch “because she lost.”
“I kind of feel like maybe I shouldn’t do it if you win the argument. What would make me argue again? She responded, “We want another,” right away. You are aware of what occurs? “When a prizefighter loses, they always want to fight again,” he remarked on Fox News, adding that he would entertain the notion if it took place on a “fair network.”
