In a presidential election rematch where every vote could be crucial, the campaigns of President Biden and former President Donald Trump are actively engaging with key demographics to gain an advantage. With the first presidential debate looming, Biden’s campaign has secured a high-profile endorsement from former GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, a move designed to appeal to moderate Republicans who may be dissatisfied with Trump as their party’s standard-bearer.
Kinzinger, a former military pilot and Iraq War veteran, has emerged as a prominent critic of Trump since the January 6th, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. In a video announcing his endorsement, Kinzinger declared that Trump represents “a direct threat to every fundamental American value.” He acknowledged the unexpected nature of his decision, stating that “if you’d have told me three years ago that ‘You’re going to be endorsing a Democrat for president in three years,’ I probably wouldn’t have believed you.” However, he stressed the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that “the stakes of this moment are way too high.”
Kinzinger was joined at the press conference by other vocal GOP Trump critics, including former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, former U.S. Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn, and Georgia Senate Democrat Leader Gloria Butler. Duncan explained his rationale for supporting Biden, stating that “Going against the grain as a Republican and supporting Democrat Joe Biden for president is not easy, but I’m not looking at this election through the lens of being a Republican. I’m looking through the lens of being an American. An American that cares more about the future of my country than the [morally] bankrupt nominee of my party.”
The Biden campaign’s efforts to attract Republican voters are not limited to endorsements. They have also launched a new ad in key battleground states that criticizes Trump’s actions during the January 6th attack. The ad features Genesee County, Michigan, Sheriff Chris Swanson, who expresses his disgust at the violence and attacks on Capitol police officers. He states, “As a sheriff, it’s awful to watch police officers getting attacked. That’s not supporting this badge and this uniform. I have no desire to work with somebody who divides. That’s not what America is.”
These efforts are part of a broader strategy by the Biden campaign to highlight Trump’s alleged threats to American democracy. Biden has consistently emphasized this issue during his presidency and is likely to bring it to the forefront during the first presidential debate. The campaign believes this approach could persuade some Republicans who supported Nikki Haley in the GOP primaries to consider voting for Biden.
Kinzinger acknowledges that there is a segment of Republicans who are uneasy about supporting Trump but find it difficult to vote for a Democrat. He believes that his endorsement can encourage those Republicans to vote for Biden, emphasizing that “You don’t have to give up your Republican stripes to vote for a Democrat. All you’re standing for is democracy.”
While the Biden campaign targets moderate Republicans, the Trump campaign is focusing on Black voters. They held a Black American Business Leaders Barbershop Roundtable discussion in Atlanta, featuring prominent Black allies and surrogates like GOP Reps. Byron Donalds and Wesley Hunt, as well as former HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson. Both Carson and Donalds are considered potential running mates for Trump.
The Trump campaign is also engaging in outreach efforts aimed at Black male voters, with Hunt and Donalds hosting their “Congress, Cognac, and Cigars” event in key swing states. Despite Biden’s significant lead in support among Black voters, Trump has made gains with this demographic, which has traditionally been a cornerstone of the Democratic Party base.
As the 2024 election intensifies, both campaigns are actively engaging with key voter segments, highlighting the importance of these groups in the race for the White House. The upcoming presidential debate in Atlanta is expected to be a pivotal moment in the campaign, with both candidates aiming to persuade voters on their vision for the future of the United States.
