Supporters of Harris and Kamala come together for campaign event
Over 2,800 Kamala Harris organizing events are buzzing across battleground states. From “Hound Lovers for Harris” meetups at dog parks to “Kallin’ for Kamala” phone banks, the campaign is utilizing a relational organizing model to keep the Democratic party’s enthusiasm high.
Leading up to the Democratic convention in Chicago, Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, are set for a bus tour in Western Pennsylvania. The campaign’s weekend of action includes a diverse range of events, from traditional canvassing to niche gatherings tailored to Harris supporters like dog owners and celebrity surrogate events featuring figures like Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, musician Ben Folds, and actor Emmy Rossum.
With thousands of Democratic delegates, activists, and operatives gathering in Chicago next week for the four-day convention, Harris is scheduled to close out the convention on Thursday, while Walz is set to speak on Wednesday. Former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, along with Hillary Clinton, will also address the convention.
On Tuesday of the convention, Harris will hold a campaign rally in Milwaukee. Traditionally, major party candidates experience heightened energy, increased fundraising, and a polling bump after their respective conventions. However, due to the timing of Harris’s late entry into the race, she has seen all of these happen before the convention.
In an early August CBS News poll, Harris polled 6 points better against former President Donald Trump than President Biden did. Her recent tour through battleground states drew massive crowds, surpassing Biden’s turnout before he exited the race.
Harris raised $311 million in the closing weeks of July, with an additional $48 million raised after announcing Walz as her running mate. With a new cash infusion, the campaign announced a $90 million ad buy for the rest of August.
The campaign’s focus is on converting rally attendance into campaign volunteers in key battleground states. At a recent rally in Las Vegas, over 5,000 volunteers signed up for shifts.
“This week will showcase who Vice President Kamala Harris is, from her record as a tough prosecutor to her commitment to working families, contrasting with the dangers of another Trump presidency,” said Harris campaign battleground states director Dan Kanninen. The campaign is committed to reaching battleground state voters who will be crucial in deciding the election.
Despite the momentum, Harris sees herself as an underdog in the race. Polls show a tight race, with Harris leading Trump by just 1 point in the latest CBS News polling, within the margin of error in all seven battleground states.
Leading up to the Democratic convention, Trump and his running mate Ohio Senator J.D. Vance have been active with press conferences and campaign stops, attacking Biden, Harris, and some of her economic proposals.
Harris has been able to benefit from taking over the battleground state infrastructure previously established by Biden, giving her an edge unmatched by Trump and Republicans. The Harris campaign boasts over 1,600 staffers and more than 280 offices across the country.
Pro-Harris organizing efforts continue outside the campaign, with large Zoom calls and virtual meetings engaging Black women and allies. “Hype Women for Harris” is launching virtual calls with guests like WNBA player Cameron Brink and actors Jamie Lee Curtis, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Sophia Bush.
