Vice President Harris’ last-minute travel emphasizes the high political stakes for Democrats in a midterm election that has largely focused on the question of whether President Biden’s party will be able to keep control of Congress.
Andrea Campbell first met Kamala Harris when the then-California attorney general gave the address at her 2009 UCLA Law school commencement.
More than a decade later, Campbell watched as Vice President Harris rallied a gymnasium full of Democrats to support her in her bid to become the first Black female attorney general of Massachusetts.
“If you’re going to be successful as a woman candidate, especially women of color, you need mentorship,” Campbell told CNN, adding that the vice president told her backstage: “Be yourself. Remind folks why you do this work. Speak to your story and remind folks why government matters.”
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That full circle moment came as Harris makes her final round of stops in the last stretch of days before the final ballots of the midterm elections are counted. Harris, who has had a laser focus on abortion and women’s rights issues while in office, is spending those last few days stumping for almost all women candidates in Democratic stronghold states, going to friendly territory to serve as a closer in tighter-than-expected races.
Harris’ last-minute travel emphasizes the high political stakes for Democrats in a midterm election that has largely focused on the question of whether President Joe Biden’s party will be able to keep control of Congress – and if not, how much it might be able to minimize its losses. A source close to Harris says it’s also reflective of a year-long strategy to put her in front of audiences where she could build important relationships for the future.
“Over the next four days, Vice President Harris will continue to do what she has been doing and that’s uplifting candidates up and down the ballot who are as equally committed to protecting reproductive rights and are committed to building on the progress the administration has been to bring the economy back,” a White House official said.
The vice president is expected to spend Monday in California, appearing with the state Democratic party for a rally on reproductive rights, according to a White House official. Los Angeles mayoral candidate Karen Bass is also expected to attend, according to a California official. On Sunday, Harris will appear with Sen. Tammy Duckworth in Illinois for an Asian American and Pacific Islanders Victory Fund event – in addition to rallying for Illinois Gov. J.B Pritzker, a day after Biden appears in the same state.
That comes after back-to-back trips to boost female candidates. Harris spent Thursday in New York stumping for Gov. Kathy Hochul, who is in a tighter-than-expected reelection race, and Attorney General Letitia James alongside former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in a high-profile rally.
Boosting women and playing defense
Female gubernatorial nominees are breaking records in this year’s midterm elections, with 25 women receiving nominations by the two major parties, according to the Center for American Women and Politics. And a record number are also running for state legislatures.
Referencing that record breaking, Harris told the crowd in New York, “You’ve witnessed a lot of history on this stage. A whole lot of firsts”
“Yes, we may be the first, but we are committed to not being the last. And we’re going to count on you to help us see that through,” Harris added, using a line her mother often repeated to Harris throughout her career.
A day before, the vice president went to the Democratic stronghold of Massachusetts to stump for Campbell and Maura Healey, who is running for governor. The vice president has also campaigned for Sen. Patty Murray in Washington, Rep. Jahana Hayes in Connecticut and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in Michigan among other women candidates.