Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz joined forces for a campaign event in Georgia on Wednesday, targeting young voters in a state pivotal to their 2024 election strategy. The pair received a warm welcome at Liberty County High School, where students, including band members and athletes, gathered to hear their message. Harris addressed the crowd, emphasizing their potential as future leaders, stating, "Our country is counting on you, all of you." She highlighted the importance of their generation in driving societal progress.
The campaign trail took Harris and Walz through southern Georgia, an area with a significant African American population, where they have expanded their team and established new field offices. Liberty County, with a predominantly Black population of around 65,000, was a strong supporter of Joe Biden in the 2020 election. Since Harris's nomination, the political landscape has shifted, and she aims to energize Black voters, who constitute a third of Georgia's electorate and are key to securing a victory.
Prior to President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race and his endorsement of Harris, polls indicated a lead for Republican candidate Donald Trump in Georgia, with some Black voters expressing dissatisfaction with the Democratic party. However, Harris has seen a surge in support, bolstered by over $500 million in donations, and recent polls show her narrowing the gap with Trump in the state.
In a separate event in Boston, Walz addressed the International Association of Firefighters, advocating for their support in the fight for labor rights and middle-class tax cuts, contrasting with Trump's stance on overtime benefits and minimum wage increases. Harris's Georgia visit focused on economic and abortion rights issues, promising to reduce consumer costs.
The campaign concluded with a rally in the Savannah area, marking Harris's second visit to Georgia since her nomination. Her earlier Atlanta rally, featuring hip-hop artist Megan Thee Stallion, attracted over 10,000 attendees. Harris remains committed to winning Georgia, a swing state with 16 Electoral College votes, despite the Republicans' increased campaign spending and new voting regulations.
