Dozens of supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris gathered in Raleigh Tuesday night to watch Harris debate her Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump. The stand-off was Trump and Harris’ first time debating each other since Harris secured the Democratic nomination for President in August.
At the event, which was tailored to women voters and hosted by the Harris-Walz campaign, bingo cards were handed out which included phrases such as “Trump tax,” “public school shoutout” and “reproductive freedom,” hinting at crucial issues in the Harris campaign.
Julie von Haefen, a representative in the NC General Assembly, said reproductive rights were her reason for supporting Harris’ candidacy.
“She’s been a staunch supporter of reproductive rights, and I have been able to meet her on several occasions and work with her,” von Haefen said. “I’ve been really impressed with her engagement with the states after the fall of Roe.”
Sherry Reid, a worker in the information technology industry, said her support for Harris also revolves around women’s reproductive rights.
“Republican-led states are banning abortion as much as possible to a very tight timeline when many women don’t even know who they’re expecting,” Reid said. “That’s also a really scary proposition for people.”
Von Haefen said Harris’ takeover of the Democratic ticket has given the Democratic campaign more reliability on issues of reproductive rights and family care that Biden could not foster.
“As a woman, I think she exudes a little bit more authority on reproductive rights issues, on maybe even family child care issues, things that women really care about,” von Haefen said. “I think she can really lead on that — what maybe President Biden wasn’t as strong on.”
Attendees of the debate acknowledged the enthusiasm and optimism that Harris’ nomination brought to the Democratic ticket and the election as a whole.
Reid said Harris and Walz represent the new generation of leaders that the country is looking for and further stressed the need for diversity in American politics.
“I think that a lot of Americans were looking at Joe Biden and Trump as two old white men; we need some younger blood,” Reid said.
Von Haefen said Harris offers the relatability that constituents are looking for the next four years.
“I think that obviously what we’ve seen since he stepped down is obviously this huge enthusiasm, especially with people,” Von Haefen said. “I think they see her as a leader that they can look to, that they relate a bit better to, just because she is a little younger than President Biden.”
Tammy Pearsall-Jones, a rideshare driver and supporter of Harris, said Harris’ personality and vice presidential experience has made her a capable candidate.
“I think she would actually make a great president because she has the personality to stand up to those who are doubting the office of president and vice president,” Pearsall-Jones said. “I would love to see her not just as the first woman president, but as the first woman president of color.”
Von Haefen also spoke of Harris’ preparedness to take on Trump’s debate tactics, specifically referring to Harris’ background as a prosecutor.
“She’s a very intelligent and experienced lawyer as well as a politician, and I think she’ll be able to handle all the things that he’s going to say,” Von Haefen said. “I mean, we’ve heard the lies and deceptions before.”
Despite her concern for the upcoming election, Reid expressed her gratitude for events at which she can meet like-minded people, whether they are affiliated with the Democratic Party or not.
“I love having these events, and it’s just been really fun to meet a lot of like-minded folks who are Democrats and unaffiliated, Republicans too,” Reid said. “People are listening and changing their minds; they’re not just checking a box of ‘I’m an R or D’. Really it’s like, “What do I want to vote for and what represents me?’”
