Anderson Clayton, the 26-year-old chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, has taken on the challenge of campaigning for the oldest presidential candidate in history in a state that hasn’t voted for a Democrat since 2008. Clayton, who often looks like a college student while canvassing, believes her youth has been an advantage in registering students at Appalachian State University. She emphasizes the importance of having someone who looks like them talking to young voters about issues that matter to them.
North Carolina has become a battleground state, with Donald Trump narrowly winning in 2020. The Biden campaign sees North Carolina as a prime pickup opportunity and has been targeting general election voters in the state. Clayton has been instrumental in reaching out to young voters, with every canvassing effort led by a young person. The campaign is focusing on building a student coalition, with a particular emphasis on engaging young people in political organizing.
In March, Clayton joined Vice President Kamala Harris at a “Students for Biden Conference” launch event in Durham, where young North Carolinians were trained on political organizing. The state party is aiming to hire eligible students for the campaign after they graduate, creating a pipeline of young organizers for the future. The Biden campaign believes the state’s historically Black colleges and universities provide an ideal infrastructure for their youth outreach strategy.
Despite concerns about voter turnout and President Biden’s support among young voters, Clayton remains confident that the majority of young Democrats will back Mr. Biden in November. Turnout among young voters has historically been low, and Biden’s support is shrinking among this demographic. However, Clayton argues that young people understand the differences between a future under Donald Trump and one under Joe Biden. Some young voters cite concerns about Biden’s age and handling of certain issues, but Clayton believes most will support him in the upcoming election.
The North Carolina Republican Party does not view the Biden campaign’s efforts as a significant threat, given their current operations and relationship with the RNC and Trump. The Trump campaign continues to expand its operations in battleground states, including North Carolina. Despite the challenges faced by Biden’s campaign, Clayton and other young organizers remain committed to mobilizing young voters in the state. The Biden campaign plans to open 11 field offices in North Carolina, with a focus on turning out voters from campuses across the state.
Overall, the North Carolina Democratic Party, under Anderson Clayton’s leadership, is working diligently to engage young voters and build a coalition of support for President Joe Biden in the upcoming election. Despite the challenges and concerns surrounding voter turnout and support among young people, Clayton and her team are dedicated to mobilizing students and young voters to secure a victory for the Democratic Party in a historically red state. While the road ahead may be difficult, Clayton’s youth, energy, and determination serve as valuable assets in this critical campaign.
