ATLANTA (AP) - Kamala Harris is intensifying her campaign efforts in the final stretch leading up to the midterm elections. Her blueprint for the fall blitz includes significant activity across multiple states, particularly those crucial for early Democratic presidential primaries scheduled for 2028. Harris, the former vice president, is actively engaging with the electorate while considering the possibility of another presidential run after her defeat in the 2024 general election against Donald Trump.
The campaign itinerary spans from October 21 to October 30 and includes visits to New Hampshire, Wisconsin, and Mississippi, along with a virtual event in Florida, as announced by her office. Harris had previously disclosed plans for stops in Georgia and Nevada later in October.
While several recent interviews reveal Harris's focus on aiding Democratic candidates for the upcoming November elections, she has not entirely dismissed the prospect of entering the presidential race once more. Her campaign tour in late October will spotlight candidates for governor and U.S. Senate, aligning her presence with individuals who could potentially break historical barriers, including the first Black woman to serve as vice president.
The tour kicks off on October 21 in Nevada with Aaron Ford, the state's first Black attorney general and a governor candidate, alongside other Democratic hopefuls. Harris's agenda in Nevada includes an engagement with members of the Culinary Workers Union, reinforcing her commitment to labor issues. Notably, Nevada is the second state to hold a presidential nominating contest in the 2028 cycle, following South Carolina.
The following day, October 22, Harris travels to Mississippi to support Scott Colom, a candidate aiming to become the state's first Black U.S. senator since the Reconstruction era. Colom's campaign is gaining traction among national Democrats as he challenges incumbent Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith.
On October 24, Harris will be in New Hampshire, where she will campaign with Senate nominee Chris Pappas. The agenda includes discussions around reproductive care and abortion rights, a key issue during Harris's tenure as an advocate for such rights in the Biden White House, particularly visible during the 2022 midterms. New Hampshire holds the third slot in the order of Democratic primaries for 2028.
Harris continues her campaign journey on October 26 with Wisconsin gubernatorial nominee David Crowley. Her tour culminates in Georgia, where she will spend three days starting October 28. In Georgia, she is slated to join Senator Jon Ossoff for various events, including voter protection initiatives and a speech on October 30 at the Fulton County Democratic Party's annual gala in Atlanta.
Amid her Georgia schedule, Harris will also host a virtual organizing event with Florida's Senate nominee, Angie Nixon, who aims to be the first Black U.S. senator from her state. This event positions Harris alongside Nixon, who identifies as a democratic socialist and enjoys backing from progressive activists who have previously critiqued Harris for being too moderate in her political stance.
This campaign itinerary follows Harris's earlier engagements, which included in-person and online interactions, fundraising events, and efforts geared towards voter protection primarily orchestrated for the Democratic National Committee. Her recent activities also involved campaigning for progressive candidates like Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, showcasing her alignment with and support for forward-thinking Democratic nominees.
