Analysts believe Harris will bring out more Gen Z voters

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Just 24 hours after President Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, many were surprised how quickly democrats came together.

“We saw the largest small donor donations in a presidential history in 24 hours she brought in some $80 million,” explained Camron Hurt, a political analyst.

“She’s racked probably over half of the delegates needed to win the democratic nomination, so she’s well on her way,” said Julia Manchester, a national political reporter at The Hill.

Both said a fresh face could bring out more Gen Z voters.

“She certainly is more of an energetic pick than Joe Biden, she could be the second African American president, the first woman of color president and that’s exciting to many in the democratic coalition and to women voters and black voters, there is an excitement there,” Manchester added.

“This is what they were asking for, somebody different and again, that’s why her vice president will matter too because even what Kamala may lack at, they may be willing to listen to a Vice President that they agree more with, than say a JD Vance,” Hurt said.

Analysts said a moderate is the likely candidate.

So far, the top choices are Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky, and Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona.

“A moderate is going to be able to cross over and get some of those Nikki Haley supporters, get some of those suburban supporters, get some of that Midwest support,” Hurt said. “Shapiro out of Pennsylvania would be historic as a possible first Jewish vice president and he is also the current governor of a swing state, Pennsylvania, which has a large number of electoral votes.”

Gov. Beshear has been elected governor twice in what Hurt calls a deeply red state, “who has a very Americana story that the people in the midwest and south could fall in love with.” Hurt said he’s also younger which could excite Gen Z democrats.

“So you have that balance between a moderate and a progressive democrat on the ticket again, that crossover appeal is so great that you even have republicans such as Chris Christie saying who has been adamant about sitting this election out if it’s Biden, and Trump, who’s now saying if you give me a Shapiro Harris ticket, I will listen,” Hurt added.

“It seems the top contenders are all white men from swing states,” said Manchester. She said Sen. Mark Kelly could be risk because if he is picked and wins VP in November, it opens up a seat in the senate for democrats in Arizona, which is a swing state.

Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news

The Hawaii Republican party chair says Harris doesn’t bother republicans at all and said they’re confident in Donald Trump and know people are tired with the current leadership.

Polling still shows Trump with a slight lead over Harris.

“There is no question Donald Trump would rather run against Joe Biden,” said Manchester. “Now they’re going to have to recalibrate their messaging, before it was this message of Trump vs Sleepy Joe or Joe not being mentally or physically with it.”

“They can’t do it now with Harris, who is much more energetic, much more younger and a fresh face and on democratic side you see this message emerging of Kamala who is a former attorney general and a former prosecuting attorney that is going against Donald Trump who has been convicted on 34 counts in a felony hush money trial, so I think you’re seeing republican’s recalibrate their message there. But there’s no question, it’s going to be close, I think democrats have reason to be optimistic, I also think republicans have reason to be optimistic,” Manchester added.