Democrats want to talk about their candidate’s age, not Biden.

After months of trying to divert attention away from the age of their presidential candidate, Democrats are now embracing age as a selling point for Vice President Kamala Harris. They are highlighting Harris’ experience and relative youth to position her as the ideal candidate for the presidency.

A new 30-second ad from the super PAC FF PAC emphasizes Harris’ over 30 years of experience in public service while also noting her youthful background of working her way through school at McDonald’s. The ad aims to appeal to voters in presidential battleground states, showcasing Harris as a candidate who can lead the country forward.

The shift in Democratic messaging is a stark departure from when Joe Biden, at 81 years old, was the party’s nominee. During Biden’s campaign, Democrats focused on downplaying concerns about his age and highlighting his accomplishments. However, the challenges of Biden’s age were magnified during a June presidential debate, ultimately leading to his withdrawal from the race.

Now, with Harris as the Democratic nominee, age is no longer a negative factor. Public opinion surveys suggest that Harris, at 59 years old, is at an ideal age according to a Pew Research Center poll. The poll indicated that most Americans believe the ideal age for a president is in their 50s or 60s, aligning with Harris’ age profile.

Harris’ relative youth and experience have given her an advantage over President Donald Trump in critical areas like mental and physical stamina. Recent polls show that voters are more confident in Harris’ ability to lead than in Trump’s, which has contributed to Harris gaining momentum in crucial battleground states and turning the race into a toss-up contest.

Lanae Erickson, a senior vice president at Third Way, emphasized the importance for Harris to strike a balance between riding the campaign’s momentum and demonstrating her ability to handle crises effectively. Erickson highlighted how Harris embodies both change and experience, making her an appealing candidate for voters.

However, past polling has shown that voters perceived female candidates, especially women of color, as too young to be president regardless of their actual age. Harris faced similar perceptions in 2019 when she was 55 years old, underscoring the challenges she had to overcome in projecting a presidential image.

While there may be risks in emphasizing Harris’ age, particularly in light of her association with President Biden, portraying her as a transformative figure and a breath of fresh air has tested positively among voters. This approach can help solidify Harris’ image as a change agent and a forward-looking leader.

On the Republican side, attacks on Harris have largely focused on ideology rather than age. Super PACs supporting Trump have labeled Harris as “dangerously liberal,” shifting the negative narrative away from age-related attacks that were used against Biden.

As the presidential campaign continues to unfold, Harris’ age and experience will remain central to the narrative, shaping how voters perceive her candidacy and leadership qualities. Democrats are banking on Harris’ unique position as a candidate who embodies both change and stability to resonate with voters across the political spectrum.