Pressure is mounting in Pennsylvania as Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign faces significant pushback from top Democrats.
Leaders say they are concerned about poor coordination, particularly in Philadelphia and its suburbs—critical areas for the campaign’s success. The complaints go beyond mere disorganization: some key party figures feel alienated, surrogates are underutilized, and efforts to engage voters of color are falling short.
Nikki Lu, Harris’ Pennsylvania campaign manager, is at the center of these frustrations. Some leaders argue that Lu’s lack of familiarity with Philadelphia’s political landscape is a glaring issue. Ryan Boyer, a powerful labor leader in the state, voiced his concerns bluntly, saying, “I don’t think she understands Philadelphia.”
Boyer’s remarks underscore the tension between Harris’ team and party leaders who worry the operation is not making the best use of influential surrogates like Mayor Cherelle Parker, whose reputation could help with key voter groups, including disaffected Black voters and working-class men.
BREAKING — Top Democrats in Pennsylvania are worried Harris’ operation is being poorly run, reports POLITICO.
Democrats have been concerned for months that Harris’ campaign doesn’t understand Pennsylvania and isn’t connecting with ‘voters of color’ in Philly and Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/IHaUIp0JDs
— Election Wizard (@ElectionWiz) October 16, 2024
Multiple meetings have taken place in recent weeks between Latino and Black Democratic leaders and Harris’ aides to air these concerns. The message has been clear: the campaign must step up its efforts to engage diverse voting blocs if they hope to turn out voters. There are hints of progress, with new staff added to the campaign, but many Democrats fear these changes might be coming too late.
Pennsylvania’s significance cannot be overstated—Harris and Trump both see the state as a linchpin, and over $500 million has already been funneled into TV ads here. A single misstep could cost Harris not just Pennsylvania but the election itself.
The frustrations aren’t just logistical. Some say the campaign’s reliance on Pittsburgh-based leadership has exacerbated long-standing regional divides within the state. Others worry that the campaign’s outreach strategy feels tone-deaf. Former councilmember Maria Quiñones-Sánchez, for example, stressed the need for “cultural” outreach, noting that Latino voters respond best to visible and enthusiastic engagement.
A recently departed campaign staffer even alleged in a memo that the campaign lacked essential infrastructure for reaching Latino voters, issuing a stark warning: “You do not win PA without Latinos, and you do not win the presidency without PA.”
The campaign has responded by emphasizing its substantial presence on the ground—50 coordinated offices, nearly 400 staffers, and targeted advertising aimed at Black and Latino voters. National campaign manager Julie Chávez Rodriguez insists that Harris’ outreach surpasses Trump’s and that the campaign is leaving “no stone unturned.” Still, the discord among state Democrats suggests that smoother operations will be needed to secure a victory in this battleground state.
Parties leaders have said they have begun to see some changes they like, but are they too late?
