Harris Campaign Targets Suburban Voters for Victory in Pennsylvania Amid Tight Presidential Race

Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign has shared a memo exclusively with NBC News, outlining their strategy to secure victory in Pennsylvania. The memo emphasizes the need to win support in the suburbs, which the campaign refers to as "our own mini 'blue wall' in Pennsylvania." They point to polls indicating that Harris has made gains in these areas compared to President Joe Biden's 2020 performance. The campaign aims to boost popularity among educated suburbanites, including those who have previously voted for Republicans. Notably, the memo highlights the 160,000 voters in Pennsylvania who backed former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley in this year's GOP presidential primary, with a particular emphasis on her stronger support among suburban voters, even after she had dropped out of the race against former President Donald Trump.

The memo underscores the significance of Trump’s perceived weakness in the suburbs, stating, "We have flipped the suburbs from red to blue since Trump won them in 2020, and we have also grown our support with women and tripled our support among white college-educated voters in the state." The campaign also references September surveys indicating that Harris is ahead of Trump by 6 points among suburban voters, marking a notable improvement from Trump's 3-point victory over Biden in the 2020 election, as exit polls revealed.

Counteracting Trump's Stronghold

The Harris campaign has acknowledged the challenge posed by Trump’s strength in the reddest counties of Pennsylvania. To counteract this, the campaign has organized events in traditionally Republican areas such as Johnstown, Lancaster, and Rochester, as well as investing in these regions to mitigate Trump's advantage. A noteworthy detail highlighted in the memo is the establishment of 16 out of the 50 statewide campaign offices in counties that Trump won by more than 10 points in 2020, underscoring the campaign's strategic focus on contested areas.

Recent presidential elections in Pennsylvania have been marked by narrow margins, with Biden winning over Trump by just over 1 percentage point in 2020. These close contests emphasize the importance of every vote, prompting the Harris campaign to intensify its outreach efforts across the state. They have knocked on more than 1 million doors and deployed 450 on-the-ground staff, along with establishing 50 campaign offices. Harris has dedicated more time to the western part of the state, including rural areas, to introduce herself to voters who may be less familiar with her.

Elon Musk's Engagement and Trump's Campaign

On the opposing front, the Trump campaign has received a boost from billionaire mogul Elon Musk, who has ramped up his political engagement in Pennsylvania through his America PAC. However, Harris' senior adviser, Brendan McPhillips, downplayed the potential impact of Musk's support, asserting that monetary investment alone cannot match the ground-level operation orchestrated by the Harris campaign. He emphasized the importance of timely, well-planned campaign strategies, suggesting that the Trump campaign's belated efforts may not yield significant results.

The Trump campaign has also pointed to challenges Harris' campaign is facing in urban areas, particularly in Philadelphia, a key Democratic stronghold. They highlight concerns about Harris losing ground in this crucial region, which could impact her overall support in the state. Additionally, the Trump campaign has drawn attention to the shifting voter registration dynamics in Pennsylvania, with Republicans making inroads into the Democratic voter registration advantage and flipping key counties.

Harris' Efforts to Connect with Black Voters

In response to the challenges outlined by the Trump campaign, the Harris campaign has expressed confidence in its ability to match or exceed Biden's support in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. They have detailed their outreach efforts to engage Black voters in the state, which include dedicated staff for outreach and targeted events. The campaign aims to resonate with diverse communities, recognizing the significance of mobilizing support from various demographics.

Obama's Appeal to Black Voters

Former President Barack Obama's recent remarks during a campaign stop in Pittsburgh also underscore the importance of energizing Black voters for the Harris campaign. Obama acknowledged the need for increased energy and turnout in these communities, particularly emphasizing the importance of mobilizing Black men to support Harris. His call to action highlights the significance of targeted outreach and engagement efforts to galvanize support from marginalized communities.

As both campaigns intensify their efforts in Pennsylvania, the state is poised to play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the upcoming election. The strategic maneuvers, voter outreach initiatives, and engagement with key demographics will be pivotal in shaping the electoral landscape in this battleground state.