Carolyn Valone, an 84-year-old Democrat from St. Louis, initially decided not to vote in the upcoming presidential election due to her unfavorable view of Joe Biden’s stance on Gaza. Likewise, 25-year-old traffic planners Matteo Saracco and Cooper Brock in Atlanta were hesitant about a potential rematch between Biden and Trump, two candidates they perceived as too old. However, with Biden stepping down and Vice President Kamala Harris emerging as the likely Democratic nominee, Valone and others like her have shown renewed interest in the campaign.
The dissatisfaction among voters with having to choose between the same candidates who contested the last election has been a defining feature of the 2024 presidential campaign. Many disillusioned voters, particularly those leaning left, are now intrigued by the prospect of Harris taking over the Democratic Party mantle from Biden. Harris’ campaign is capitalizing on this shift, experiencing increased fundraising, volunteer engagement, and media attention following Biden’s withdrawal from the race.
The Democratic campaign aims to reintroduce Harris to the American public in the lead-up to the Democratic National Convention and generate excitement around her candidacy. While some voters hold negative views of both candidates, known as “double haters,” the race reset gives Harris an opportunity to connect with a broader audience, especially those hesitant about Trump.
Discontent with the idea of a Biden-Trump rematch had been brewing for some time among Americans, according to polls conducted by the Associated Press-NORC. By the end of 2023, dissatisfaction with both candidates was evident, with many Democrats expressing a preference for Biden to withdraw from the race. Left-leaning voters echoed frustrations over the lack of enthusiasm surrounding the two-party system offering such candidates.
Recent polls suggest a shift in public opinion following Biden’s exit, with fewer voters holding unfavorable views of both candidates. Republicans plan to leverage negative advertising to associate Harris with Biden’s policies, while Harris’s camp aims for a counteroffensive to establish her personal brand. The race appears more fluid now, with voters being more familiar with Trump than with Harris.
As the campaign progresses, the dynamics could evolve, influencing how voters perceive the candidates. For voters like 69-year-old Kathryn Kabat from North Carolina, the emergence of Harris as the Democratic nominee has solidified her support, prompting her to volunteer and campaign for Harris in the upcoming election.
