Democrat Kamala Harris is set to appeal to suburban voters concerned about Republican Donald Trump as she embarks on a visit to three pivotal Midwestern states on Monday. During her trip, she will engage in moderated discussions alongside Republican Liz Cheney, aiming to connect with constituents who may stray from traditional party lines.
Harris plans to stop in three suburban areas that were previously supported by Republican Nikki Haley before her withdrawal from the GOP nomination race. The counties include Chester County in Pennsylvania, Oakland County in Michigan, and Waukesha County in Wisconsin.
Joining Harris in these discussions is Cheney, a former congresswoman from Wyoming known for her strong opposition to Trump. The events will feature discussions moderated by a conservative radio host and a Republican strategist.
With the presidential election just over two weeks away and the competition too close to call, the Democratic nominee is keen on gathering support from every potential voter. Her campaign is on a mission to sway undecided voters, encourage Democrats who might consider abstaining from voting, and attract supporters in areas where Trump’s influence appears to be waning.
Even a small shift in voter support can lead to a significant impact on the overall election results. For instance, in Waukesha County, Haley received over 9,000 votes in the primary despite her exit from the race. Wisconsin was narrowly decided for President Joe Biden in 2020 by a mere 20,000 votes, highlighting the importance of each ballot as early in-person voting is set to commence on Tuesday.
In addition to Cheney and Harris, the discussions will feature Charles Sykes, a conservative radio personality and editor-in-chief of The Bulwark, along with GOP strategist Sarah Longwell.
Cheney has publicly endorsed Harris due to her adverse views on Trump, a stance that cost her a seat in Congress after she co-led a committee investigating the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots, which saw a mob of Trump supporters storming the Capitol in a bid to overturn Biden’s victory.
Harris is not alone in gaining Republican support; over 100 former GOP officials stood with her in Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania, last week—near the historic site where George Washington led his troops across the Delaware River.
At the Pennsylvania rally, Harris addressed Republican attendees, asserting that the patriotic course of action is to support Democrats.
In the lead-up to the election, the vice president has intensified her criticism of Trump, particularly focusing on his claims regarding the 2020 election and his involvement in the Capitol insurrection. She describes Trump as “unstable” and claims that allowing him back into power would severely undermine democratic principles.
“I do believe that Donald Trump is an unserious man,” she said during her rallies, warning that the ramifications of his potential return to the presidency would be gravely serious.
In response to the Capitol events, Trump has downplayed the situation while campaigning, stating that it was “a day of love from the standpoint of the millions.”
Harris will return to Pennsylvania on Wednesday to participate in a CNN town hall in Delaware County, where she will take questions from voters in attendance.
