In a strategic move ahead of the Democratic presidential primary this Saturday, Vice President Kamala Harris is set to make a significant visit to South Carolina, marking her final effort to rally support in the crucial Palmetto State. Her visit will culminate at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, the state’s premier public Historically Black College and University (HBCU), where she will lead a pivotal get-out-the-vote event on Friday.
This visit is part of a broader initiative by President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign to engage with and secure the Black electorate in South Carolina, highlighting the campaign’s commitment to these crucial voters. The event will also feature Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison, an Orangeburg native, who is slated to address the attendees, adding local significance to the rally. This final push for early votes comes just as the state wraps up its early voting period, setting the stage for Saturday’s primary.
This trip marks Harris’s third visit to South Carolina in the current year, underscoring the state’s strategic importance to the Biden-Harris campaign. Previously, Harris has been active in the state, addressing congregations and gatherings such as the 7th Episcopal District AME Church Women’s Missionary Society annual retreat in Myrtle Beach and commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the State House.
President Biden himself has engaged with the South Carolinian community, having spoken at Mother Emanuel Church, a site of profound historical and emotional significance. Complementing these efforts, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and First Lady Jill Biden have also made targeted visits within the state, engaging with local communities and reinforcing the campaign’s outreach efforts.
South Carolina holds a special place in the Biden campaign’s narrative, having been the turning point in the 2020 nomination race. Its recent elevation to the leadoff position in the Democratic nominating sequence reflects a strategic move to amplify the voices of Black, rural, and southern voters in the presidential selection process. During a recent event, President Biden acknowledged South Carolina’s pivotal role in his political journey, attributing his success and the defeat of Donald Trump to the state’s electorate.
Vice President Harris’s upcoming speech is anticipated to underscore the achievements of the Biden administration in enhancing HBCU funding, reaching unprecedented levels, and to articulate the potential repercussions for Black Americans should a Republican candidate win the presidency. With the former president currently leading the GOP nomination race, the stakes are high.
Harris’s remarks on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Columbia resonated with her vision of leadership, emphasizing empathy, upliftment, and proactive engagement with the challenges faced by communities. Her upcoming visit to South Carolina is not just a campaign strategy but a reaffirmation of these values, aiming to galvanize support and underscore the administration’s commitment to inclusivity and empowerment.