Harris campaign/ Trump rally/ 2024 election/ Hurricane Milton/ Hispanic voter outreach/ Economic Club of Detroit/ battleground states/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Vice President Kamala Harris campaigns in Nevada and Arizona, while former President Donald Trump addresses economic issues in Michigan as they continue their campaigns even after Hurricane Milton hits Florida. Harris is strengthening Hispanic voter outreach, while Trump appeals to swing-state voters in Pennsylvania and Michigan.
Campaigning Through Hurricane Milton: Quick Looks
- Strategic Campaigning: Harris in Nevada and Arizona, Trump in Michigan and Pennsylvania.
- Hispanic Voter Outreach: Harris’ campaign launches “Hombres con Harris” events and Spanish-language ads.
- Economic Focus: Trump discusses economic policy in Detroit, after rallying in Pennsylvania.
- Obama Joins Harris Campaign: Obama campaigns in Pittsburgh, marking his first public support event for Harris.
Harris, Trump Continue Campaigns Despite Hurricane Milton’s Florida Impact
Deep Look
As Hurricane Milton makes landfall in Florida, the campaigns of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump push forward, with each candidate taking strategic steps to secure key voter groups in battleground states. Harris, visiting Nevada and Arizona, is focused on building Hispanic voter support, while Trump, speaking in Michigan, highlights economic issues aimed at solidifying his base and swaying undecided voters.
Trump addressed the Economic Club of Detroit on Thursday, following a rally in Pennsylvania the previous night, where he emphasized his economic agenda and sought to appeal to Hispanic voters in heavily Latino areas like Reading, Pennsylvania. Trump’s messaging in these events is part of his larger campaign push in critical swing states, where Hispanic support could play a deciding role.
Harris is intensifying her outreach in Nevada and Arizona, participating in a Univision town hall in Las Vegas and an evening rally in Phoenix. Her campaign’s recent launch of “Hombres con Harris,” a group aimed specifically at increasing Hispanic male support, aligns with these efforts. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris’s running mate, joined Arizona Representative Ruben Gallego and actor Jaime Camil at the group’s launch event, which included local supporters and addressed issues central to Hispanic voters.
The “Hombres con Harris” campaign plans to host events at Latino-owned businesses, union halls, and community gatherings leading up to Election Day, drawing attention to topics that resonate with this demographic. By focusing on Hispanic men in Arizona and Nevada, Harris’s campaign aims to bolster support among voters who may not be engaged in traditional campaign channels. Campaign Manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez also participated in community and cultural events, such as the recent boxing match between Canelo Alvarez and Edgar Berlanga in Las Vegas, connecting directly with this key voting bloc. These gatherings follow a $3 million investment in Spanish-language radio ads, specifically targeting sports events like baseball games and boxing matches.
Amid the storm’s impact, President Joe Biden has postponed his scheduled trips to Germany and Angola, describing Hurricane Milton as potentially “the storm of the century.” He remains actively involved in managing the federal response, while Harris continues her campaign efforts in Nevada and Arizona. Obama, who has close ties with Harris, will campaign on her behalf in Pittsburgh, marking the start of a broader series of appearances across battleground states. The former president, who recently advocated for Biden to step aside after a debate stumble against Trump, has since become a public and strategic supporter of Harris, helping guide her campaign.
Harris and Trump are both targeting pivotal voter bases in states that may be essential for a White House victory. For Harris, reaching Hispanic voters is crucial, as recent demographic shifts show the potential for these voters to significantly influence election outcomes in key states. For Trump, emphasizing his economic plan and connecting with swing-state voters could secure support in places where his margins were tight in previous races. As both campaigns rally in areas less affected by Hurricane Milton, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Michigan, and Arizona remain critical to their paths to the presidency.
