DELRAY BEACH — The zeal surrounding Vice President Kamala Harris’ freshly branded presidential campaign was palpable in Palm Beach County this past weekend.
They sat side by side and called Florida residents for hours, imploring them to register to vote by mail and back a blue wave across the state. The push, which hosted more than 36 other events across the state, is part of Harris’ “100 days of action weekend” across the nation to mobilize volunteers who appeared after she became a presidential candidate.
About 100 local volunteers packed the county’s Democratic Party office off South Congress Avenue in Delray Beach on Sunday at an ice-cream social and phone bank — marketed as a women-focused event — led by Harris’ campaign staff.
Many stood on the back patio of the building in the afternoon heat, wiping sweat off their foreheads as they waited for state Sens. Tina Polsky, D- Boca Raton , and Lori Berman, D- Boynton Beach , U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, D- West Palm Beach , and a special guest from Hollywood — as in California, not Broward County — to give speeches.
The crowd broke into a roar when Polsky proclaimed: "This is not a red state!"
Florida Democrats see independents as key to Harris ticket winning state
With nearly 30% of Florida voters not affiliated with either the Republican or Democratic parties, state Democrats believe that if they deploy grass-roots volunteers to make phone calls, knock on doors and engage in public displays of support, they can flip the state in November and help down-ballot Democratic candidates win at the polls.
“Florida is a critical state this election, and it’s one we’re determined to win,” said Jasmine Burney Clark, director of the Harris campaign in Florida.
Harris’ campaign garnered more than 11,000 volunteers in Florida and raised more than $200 million — 66% of which came from first-time donors — over the past week, according to a campaign spokesperson.
Polsky said she has never seen this kind of excitement from the Democratic Party since she got involved in politics.
“We actually have a chance to vote for someone for positive reasons, not just ‘against Trump,’ ” Polsky said. “People are really revved up. No more playing defense. We are on offense, fighting for our rights and for the betterment of our country.”
Polsky, like many others at the event, praised Harris’ advocacy for abortion rights. “It's been really shocking to see what's happened with our state,” she said. “My daughter has fewer rights than I did growing up.”
In addition to abortion rights, attendees discussed Harris' stances on immigration, gun control and climate change.
Polsky called Harris a “warm and welcoming” person, grinning as she remembered the moment she met her this past winter in Washington, D.C., at a Hanukkah party.
“(Harris’ win) would mean everything for women,” she said. “If we have a woman at the helm, shining a light on the abilities of all of us … that is the role model and positive movement we need in our society.”
Barbara Stewart of Delray Beach, a volunteer at the event, said Harris is the “fresh blood” people wanted to see on the Democratic ticket.
“She can bring in the young voters that unfortunately, didn't really understand (President Joe) Biden,” said the 75-year-old Stewart, referring to her young friend who vowed to vote once he heard Harris would run.
“Given what my generation fought for — abortion rights for women — it was demoralizing to have the Supreme Court do what they did,” Stewart said. “I've been waiting a long time for a woman to be president.”
Biden ended his bid for reelection July 21 — less than four months before the Nov. 5 election — and quickly endorsed Harris. She has secured the support of enough of Biden's delegates to claim the nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month.
Harris is expected to choose her running mate before Aug. 7, and news reports Sunday said the choice is down to three men: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz.
Actress Jeri Ryan, known for her role in "Star Trek" spinoffs, traveled to Florida from California to attend the event. She called the rapid rush in support for Harris a “movement.”
“I personally have never seen anything like it,” said Ryan, 56. “It's incredible how the infighting stopped and everyone got energized, got behind her and coalesced. It really is something big.”
Ryan said she is noticing more enthusiasm among young people for Harris, which she credited to her being a “modern, contemporary and energetic" choice for president. “She laughs, and as somebody who has a notorious cackle myself, I love it,” she said. “The joy that radiates from her is contagious.”
Jennifer Hudson, chair of the Palm Beach County Democratic Party, concurred and noted Harris’ recent appearances in viral posts on TikTok and Instagram.
“(Young people) want freedom to choose, freedom over their own body, and they want the climate to be addressed,” Hudson said. “Because she represents that, they’re excited. That’s just going to grow.”
The Tallahassee Democrat contributed to this story.
Maya Washburn covers northern Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida-Network. Reach her at mwashburn@pbpost.com . Support local journalism: Subscribe today .
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Harris volunteers pack Delray office to get out the vote for the VP
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