Harris Campaign pushes ahead as Election Day nears

By Edelia J. Carthan, Ed.D.,
Contributing Writer,

With just two weeks remaining until Election Day, Vice President Kamala Harris continues to ramp up her campaign efforts, gaining momentum in what is shaping up to be one of the closest elections in recent history. A new Reuters/Ipsos poll released Tuesday shows Harris holding a slight national lead over former President Donald Trump, highlighting how competitive the race has become as both candidates work tirelessly to secure key voter demographics.
Harris has been focusing on mobilizing Black voters through her “Souls to the Polls” initiative, aimed at reaching faith communities across the country.
During a recent event in Atlanta, she celebrated her 60th birthday with a surprise performance by Stevie Wonder, who serenaded her in front of a cheering crowd. This push comes at a crucial moment, with only two more Sundays for faith-based outreach before Election Day.
In addition to her grassroots efforts, Harris has made several high-profile media appearances, including an interview Sunday with Rev. Al Sharpton on MSNBC. During the interview, she addressed recent insults from Donald Trump, who used a profanity-laden remark to criticize her tenure as vice president. Harris responded decisively, saying, “He has not earned the right to hold office again. The American people deserve so much better.”
Harris’s campaign has also rolled out new policy proposals aimed at expanding economic opportunities for Latino men, one of the key demographics in this election. Her plan includes pushing for tax legislation that would allow construction workers to deduct the cost of tools and equipment, a measure her campaign estimates would benefit 2 million people. Other elements of her agenda include funding for bilingual education and career counseling in lower-income schools, as well as small business boot camps to support aspiring Latino entrepreneurs.
Harris Out-Raises Trump in September
Harris’s financial advantage has become increasingly evident. Recent campaign filings show that she out-raised and out-spent Trump by a 3.5-to-1 margin in September, raising $221.8 million compared to Trump’s $62.7 million. This financial edge has allowed Harris to saturate key swing states with advertising and on-the-ground efforts. However, despite the significant spending gap, Harris’s cash-on-hand advantage over Trump going into October is narrower, with her campaign reporting $187.5 million to Trump’s $119.7 million.
Harris has received endorsements from prominent figures, including former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, who has become one of Trump’s most vocal critics. The two campaigned together on Monday, further underscoring the bipartisan support Harris has garnered in her fight against Trump’s bid to return to the White House.
Trump Focuses on Swing States
Meanwhile, Trump has been campaigning aggressively in battleground states, particularly North Carolina, which could prove pivotal in the race. On Tuesday, he is scheduled to hold a rally in Greensboro, as he works to shore up support among his base and sway undecided voters in the crucial final days of the campaign.
Trump has repeatedly targeted Harris on the campaign trail, recently accusing her of fabricating a story about having worked at McDonald’s during her college years—an accusation that a friend of Harris’s told The New York Times was true. Despite these attacks, Harris has remained focused on policy, media engagements, and voter outreach, seeking to maintain her slim but critical lead.
Historic Implications
As the campaign nears its conclusion, Harris’s potential to make history as the first female president of the United States remains a significant talking point. While she has mostly refrained from emphasizing the historic nature of her candidacy, her supporters have not. Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota, speaking at a high-dollar fundraiser in Greenwich, Connecticut, on Sunday, energized donors by reminding them of the importance of sending Harris to the White House, urging the crowd to “tear down the damn glass ceiling.”
We are just 14 days away from potentially witnessing a historic moment: the election of America’s first female president, who is also a Black woman. This milestone is profoundly significant, especially for little girls everywhere. It represents the breaking of barriers that have long stood in the way of women, particularly women of color, in leadership roles. Kamala Harris’s candidacy shows young girls that they too can aspire to the highest office in the land, no matter their gender or race. Her success would send a powerful message—that the future truly holds limitless possibilities for them.
Record Voter Turnout Expected
Voter turnout is expected to reach record highs, with early voting already surpassing figures seen in previous elections. Harris’s campaign has made a concerted effort to engage voters through social media, in-person events, and strategic appearances on networks like NBC News and Telemundo, where she is scheduled for interviews later this week.
As both campaigns enter the final stretch, the race remains incredibly tight, and the outcome could hinge on a few key swing states. With just two weeks to go, Harris is betting on her broad coalition of voters and policy-driven campaign to carry her to victory.
We will continue to follow this story closely as Election Day approaches and provide updates as new developments emerge.