Vice President Kamala Harris is bringing in her biggest celebrity supporters in the closing days of the 2024 election campaign, hoping their influence will inspire early voting.
Rally in Georgia with Springsteen and Obama
On Thursday, Harris will headline a rally in Clarkston, Georgia, accompanied by none other than Bruce Springsteen and former President Barack Obama. Clarkston, a diverse Atlanta suburb, will host the event at a local high school football stadium, reflecting the town’s reputation as “the most diverse square mile in America.”
The crowd, energized by a DJ, was a mix of graduates from historically Black colleges, West Indians, Asian Americans, and women in hijabs, reflecting the suburb’s melting pot of cultures. Many attendees were actively encouraging family and friends to vote early for Harris, with some, like Beverly Payne from Republican-leaning Cumming, Georgia, even persuading lifelong conservatives to flip their vote. “My 85-year-old father has gone Democratic for the first time in his life,” Payne said.
Spike Lee and Samuel L. Jackson Rally Supporters
Actor Samuel L. Jackson and director Spike Lee also took the stage, with Lee firing up the crowd. “No matter what kind of shenanigans, skullduggery, and subterfuge, the okie-doke, we’re not going back,” he proclaimed, setting the tone for the night.
Texas Rally with Beyoncé Planned
On Friday, Harris heads to Texas for a major rally in Houston, featuring hometown hero Beyoncé. Known for her political influence, Beyoncé’s 2016 hit “Freedom” has become Harris’ campaign anthem. While Texas remains a red state, the event aims to rally supporters and bring attention to Harris’ platform.
Georgia’s Key Role in 2024
Thursday’s rally in Georgia underscores the state’s crucial role in Harris’ path to victory. Georgia flipped blue in 2020 under Joe Biden and Harris’ leadership, marking the first Democratic win in the state since 1992. Now, polls show a tight race between Harris and Trump, with the outcome in Georgia potentially deciding the election.
Star-Studded “When We Vote We Win” Series
Thursday’s event marks the kickoff of the Harris campaign’s “When We Vote We Win” concert series, designed to encourage early voting. Harris expressed her gratitude for Obama’s support and called Springsteen an “American icon.” Actor and filmmaker Tyler Perry is also set to appear at the rally, alongside DJ Mix Master David.
Democrats Leaning on Celebrity Support
Harris isn’t the only Democrat banking on star power. Her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz, has events lined up with singer-songwriter James Taylor in North Carolina. Democrats have long relied on celebrities to mobilize voters, with Springsteen backing Obama in 2008 and 2012, Hillary Clinton in 2016, and Biden in 2020. However, Clinton’s loss to Trump in 2016 serves as a reminder that celebrity backing isn’t always enough to secure victory.
Early Voting Numbers Surge in Georgia
The Harris campaign remains optimistic that these high-profile events will boost voter turnout. Already, over 2 million Georgians have cast their ballots early, with another 134,336 submitting mail-in ballots. With the stakes so high, Harris and her team are doing everything they can to energize voters ahead of Election Day.
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