Kamala Harris Champions ‘Freedom’ Message in South Georgia, Targeting Conservative White Women

The Harris-Walz campaign is kicking off a bus tour in Georgia, shifting its focus to the southern region and steering clear of the Democratic bastion of metro Atlanta. This strategic pivot aims to engage voters in a more rural and conservative area, believing they may resonate with the campaign’s emphasis on “freedom.”

Vice President Kamala Harris has woven “freedom” into the fabric of her campaign since its launch 38 days ago. At rallies, she enters to a Beyoncé anthem, framing discussions around voting rights, abortion, and gun safety through this lens. The first TV advertisement released by her campaign highlighted this theme, showcasing a commitment to creating a safer environment for all individuals to make personal decisions.

The campaign emphasizes its patriotic tone, as seen in its convention programming and media outreach. Veteran grassroots organizers suggest this approach is aimed at drawing moderate and conservative white women into the Democratic sphere. These voters hold significant sway in Georgia, and even a modest improvement in results outside metro areas could boost the campaign’s overall standing in the state.

Porsha White, the campaign’s state director, outlined an extensive organizational presence, claiming over 190 staffers across 24 offices statewide. This is reportedly the most comprehensive Democratic presidential campaign operation in Georgia’s history, spanning rural counties to suburban regions previously identified as Republican strongholds.

Complementing its ground efforts, the Harris campaign has launched an aggressive online advertising campaign targeting Georgia voters, especially women. The messaging highlights stark contrasts between Harris and former President Trump, particularly on reproductive rights and the preservation of democratic principles.

Taylor Salditch, executive director of Supermajority, believes that the campaign’s value-centric approach could resonate beyond party lines. By emphasizing shared values over divisive political jargon, they may tap into broader election-winning opportunities.

Recent data highlights the importance of reaching white women, the largest voting demographic in the U.S. Research from Galvanize Action shows a significant majority of moderate white women support legal abortion. Encouragingly, this demographic also prioritizes preserving democracy in their voting decisions.

Moreover, conversations around the implications of the Dobbs decision, which restricted abortion access in Georgia, have underlined the urgency felt by many voters. Public sentiment is shifting in response to legislative changes, as polls indicate growing concern over restrictive policies.

Olivia Troye, a former Trump administration official, emphasized the appeal Harris’s campaign holds for conservative women seeking a more moderate, patriotic alternative. She believes a significant number of these voters oppose extreme partisan rhetoric and favor a more compassionate stance on reproductive rights.

Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner of MomsRising further articulated that freedom means prioritizing family wellbeing. Polls suggest substantial bipartisan support for policies like paid family leave, underscoring a potential crossover appeal for the Harris campaign.

Angela Ferrell-Zabala from Moms Demand Action highlighted the broader implications of the freedom narrative. For her, freedom encompasses safety from gun violence and ensuring children can thrive in nurturing environments—a sentiment that resonates among conservative women who feel alienated by extreme political divides.

As the Harris-Walz campaign intensifies its outreach efforts in Georgia, the focus remains clear: connect with voters through shared values of patriotism and freedom, aiming to build a diverse coalition capable of challenging established norms.