‘Wealth of experience.’ Can Kamala Harris energize Columbus voters? Advocates see difference

Grassroots organizers and community advocates in Columbus say they are ready to coalesce behind Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee after President Joe Biden stepped down.

After Biden announced he was ending his bid for reelection on Sunday, Democrats nationwide quickly voiced support for Harris, including Georgia Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock .

Harris has done a good job in her role as vice president, Columbus native and political consultant Dominick Perkins told the Ledger-Enquirer.

“I think she brings a wealth of experience,” he said. “But I think she also brings some excitement.”

But Perkins, who previously worked for the Biden campaign in Georgia in 2020, has complicated feelings about Biden ending his reelection campaign.

“I have a little mix of sadness,” he said. “But a mix of excitement as well.”

Z Lawrence, who is a Columbus-based civil rights advocate with the organization My Black has a Purpose and was formerly affiliated with Black Voters Matter , said she understands Biden’s decision to step down.

“It’s a health decision,” Lawrence said. “There shouldn’t even be a discussion. If my papa was sick, I wouldn’t dare ask my papa, grandfather, anybody … to go to work, even though you don’t feel well.”

In the last two days, Harris quickly secured enough support from Democratic delegates to become the party’s nominee, according to an unofficial tally . That’s support that has been reflected in Columbus-based advocates and organizers.

Community advocate Oz Roberts is excited by the prospect of Harris being the Democratic nominee. He feels Harris would provide a “stark contrast” to former President Donald Trump and the Republican Party on key issues including women’s health.

Her background as a district attorney would also be a benefit to Harris’ performance on the campaign trail, Roberts said.

“She’s a prosecutor,” he said. “So, she has the ability to prosecute the case for the country.”

Lawrence echoed the sentiments of Roberts and Perkins, but also noted that Harris’ gender is also a reason for excitement at the grassroots level.

“She’s the first VP that’s a female,” Lawrence said. “We shouldn’t even be saying that in 2024, but we are … And I think she would be a great person to lead the charge and lead Congress.”

Making Harris the nominee has energized Democratic voters in Columbus, Perkins said.

“I’ve heard nothing but excitement from folks here in Columbus and across the state,” he said. “I think the vice president is well known. So, people are not being introduced to a new person.”

Nationally, around 44,000 Black women logged onto a Zoom call hosted by Win With Black Women to support Harris’ campaign and raised $1.5 million in three hours.

This excitement is present in Columbus, Lawrence said.

“The energy is foolish,” she said. “And foolish in a good way … It takes me back to the period of (former President Barack) Obama. Not as great as Obama, but it takes me back to that period.”