During the first week of her second presidential campaign, Kamala Harris gained the support of the Democratic Party, recruited thousands of volunteers, and raised $200 million in donations. The challenge over the next 98 days will be to utilize this energy to secure electoral victories in both traditional party strongholds and newer battlegrounds that seemed to be slipping away under President Joe Biden. The next test of her appeal will take place in Georgia, where an Atlanta rally will feature Harris along with other Democratic figures and a performance by rapper Megan Thee Stallion. This high-profile visit to Georgia indicates a renewed push by the campaign in a state now back in play for Democrats.
The groundswell of support for Harris is seen as real and meaningful, with the goal now being to translate that enthusiasm into action. While a Democratic victory would likely require winning key states like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, also keeping Sun Belt states like Georgia competitive could provide the party with much-needed breathing room. Frustrations and disillusionment among Democratic voters were growing in Georgia due to issues like inflation and the suffering in Gaza, leading to uncertainty about voter turnout. However, Harris’s candidacy is seen as a “defibrillator,” jolting voters back into awareness, especially among young people and voters of color.
The opportunity in Georgia goes beyond traditional coalitions, with the state now seen as within the party’s grasp. Former Republican lieutenant governor Geoff Duncan notes that any electoral advantage Trump had in Georgia has been erased, making the Atlanta suburbs up for grabs. Harris’s campaign in Georgia is focused on highlighting a brighter vision for the future and mobilizing voters across the state to make a clear choice in the upcoming election. The campaign has seen a surge in volunteer sign-ups and donations since Harris became the presumptive nominee.
Early polls show Harris outperforming Biden against Trump with key demographics within the Democratic coalition, erasing much of the popular vote lead Trump held over Biden. Winning in Georgia is crucial not just for keeping the White House but also for maintaining gains in a state that has been trending blue. Democrats hope to build on their success in the 2020 elections, when they won the state at the presidential and senatorial levels for the first time in decades. Organizers see Harris as a unifying figure who can consolidate the Democratic base and bring renewed hope to Georgia voters.
Despite being a right-leaning state, Georgia has shown signs of shifting towards the Democratic Party in recent elections. While Abrams was unable to win the gubernatorial race in 2022, Democrats are optimistic about their chances in the upcoming November elections. Grassroots groups in Georgia have been working diligently to make the state more competitive, and Harris’s investment of time in the state as the presumptive nominee could further boost Democratic prospects. Brown Voters Matter co-founder LaTosha Brown believes that efforts to break down the red wall and build a real movement infrastructure in Georgia are contributing to the shift towards Democratic candidates.
