Kamala Harris’ defeat was disappointing but unsurprising to many Democrats who said their party had not done enough to address important issues such as the economy, racism and sexism.

Voters in key states told our American partner network NBC News they saw many reasons for her defeat to Donald Trump: a shortened campaign, lack of economic messaging, drifting too far left on social issues, the war in Gaza and prejudice against Harris as a woman of color.

Trump, meanwhile, has capitalized on Americans’ economic frustrations while appealing to young men and Latino voters, according to NBC News exit polls.

Laytza Hernandez, 18, said she voted for Harris, but many of her Mexican relatives voted for Trump because of his clearer message on the economy.

“They just felt like he was speaking more to their concerns,” she said.

Sami Khaldi, 58, president of the local Democratic club in Dearborn, Michigan, said many community members were “angry” at the Biden administration’s handling of the Gaza war and used their votes as a sign of protest.

Khaldi said he thinks Democrats also need to go further to win over rural voters.

Read the full story from NBC News here…