Vice President Kamala Harris is making a significant push in Georgia, her first campaign trail swing following the Democratic National Convention. Her choice of Georgia, a state traditionally considered a Republican stronghold, highlights the Democrats’ belief that it could be a key battleground in the 2024 presidential election.
Harris’ two-day bus tour through the southeast part of Georgia, accompanied by her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, underscores the campaign’s strategy to energize voters in the state. The vice president’s message is clear: Georgia is back in play for the Democrats.
While Georgia has historically been a red state, the 2020 presidential election saw Joe Biden narrowly win the state, marking the first Democratic victory there in nearly three decades. Although President Trump initially held a slight lead in recent polls, the polls have tightened significantly, indicating a close race.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, a popular Republican, confirms the state’s importance in the upcoming election, stating that it is a must-win for the GOP. He believes that a path to victory for any Republican candidate, including Trump, requires winning Georgia.
The Harris campaign is taking a multifaceted approach to winning Georgia. They are running the largest in-state operation of any Democratic presidential campaign, with over 190 staff members working across 24 coordinated offices. This signifies a significant investment in the state.
Harris’ strategy goes beyond traditional Democratic strongholds like Atlanta and its suburbs. This time, she is focusing on the southern part of the state, including rural and suburban areas. This shift reflects the campaign’s recognition that diversifying their reach is essential for success.
Quentin Fulks, a key figure in both Biden’s and Harris’ campaigns, highlights the strategy to compete across the state, even in areas traditionally considered Republican. This approach is influenced by the success of Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock’s recent re-election victory, which involved a similar statewide strategy.
The Harris campaign also emphasizes the importance of reaching diverse voter groups in Southeast Georgia, including Black voters, working-class families, and rural and suburban residents.
The Democratic campaign appears to have a significant organizational advantage over Trump’s team in Georgia. Republican strategists acknowledge that Trump will need Kemp’s well-established political network to mobilize GOP voters.
Trump’s campaign has sought to mend fences with Kemp, praising his work and seeking his support. Kemp, in turn, will be hosting a fundraiser in Atlanta for Trump, joined by his wife and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Despite working together to secure votes, Kemp remains critical of the Democrats’ policies and believes that a Biden-Harris administration would be detrimental to the country. He argues that the campaign should focus on highlighting the shortcomings of the current administration and presenting a compelling vision for a better future.
The upcoming election in Georgia promises to be a close and hard-fought battle, with both parties recognizing its pivotal role in the national race.
