Kamala Harris Launches Bus Tour in Georgia to Rally Rural Democrats

On a mission to contest former President Donald J. Trump in Georgia, Vice President Kamala Harris recently embarked on a two-day bus tour through the state's rural southeastern region. This strategic move highlights Georgia Democrats' growing optimism for keeping the state in their column, especially after President Biden's narrow win in 2020. The Democratic ticket's standing in Georgia's polls has seen a notable uptick since Mr. Biden's withdrawal from the race. Despite this, Ms. Harris still lags behind Mr. Trump, as indicated by a New York Times polling average.

Pushing for Outreach

The tour, which concluded with a rally in Savannah, was not solely a Georgia affair. It also aimed to galvanize rural Democrats in nearby North Carolina, a demographically comparable Sunbelt state. Notably, both states have significant Black voter populations, with many residing in rural areas. Democrats recognize the need to boost turnout beyond urban and suburban regions to secure a statewide victory against Mr. Trump.

In North Carolina, polls indicate that Ms. Harris is performing notably better than Mr. Biden did in the previous election. Her allies draw parallels between her campaign's momentum and that of Barack Obama in 2008 when a Democrat last claimed victory in the state.

This bus tour signifies the Harris campaign's concerted effort to bolster support among rural Democrats not just in Georgia but also in North Carolina, reflecting a broader strategy to mobilize Black voters in predominantly rural areas and drive turnout beyond urban and suburban centers.