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Ahead of Early Voting, VP Candidate Kamala Harris Reaches Out To Black Voters in Flint and Detroit

Abigail Censky
/
WKAR-MSU

Democratic Vice-Presidential nominee Kamala Harris stopped in Michigan for the first time after she was added to the ticket.

To a soundtrack of Motown, Lizzo and Mary J. Blige, Harris traveled from Flint to Detroit, campaigning less than 45 days ahead of the presidential election. She did not mention the forthcoming Supreme Court hearing or the vacancy left by the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Harris’ visit was specifically targeted at turning out Black and suburban women voters in and around Detroit. 

 Outside of the Detroit Pistons Practice facility Harris talked about her reason for returning to the state. 

“To be here and to be present,” she said. “You know Jill Biden was here last week, Joe was here the week before. We will keep coming back because so goes Michigan, so goes the rest of the country as far as we’re concerned.” 

Voter turnout fell by more than 100,000 in Genesee and Wayne Counties from 2012 to 2016 and the Biden-Harris campaign is hoping to reverse that trend to win back Michigan.

Harris travelled to Flint where she toured three local Black owned businesses and the farmer's market alongside Michigan's Senior Senator, Debbie Stabenow, Mayor of Flint Sheldon Neeley and, his wife, State Representative Cynthia Neeley (D-Flint). Following a stop in Royal Oak at juicebar she spoke to a group of Black men outside of Headliner’s barbershop in Detroit.

“We are here honoring Black businesses understanding that Black businesses have been disproportionately impacted by the economic toll this virus has taken," said Harris.

She told voters she believed this could be the most consequential election of our lifetimes.

“Michigan starts voting in 48 hours and the outcome of this election will determine, I believe, the course of our country for generations to come,” said Harris.

Both campaigns are now vying for Michigan voters ahead of early absentee voting which begins Thursday. President Donald Trump held a rally in Freeland at the beginning of the month.

Abigail Censky reported on Politics & Government at WKAR from 2018 to 2021. Now, she reports for The Colorado Springs Gazette and edits for The Catalyst Newspaper.
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