Kamala Harris returns to Georgia to rally voters as state’s early voting numbers surge

United States Vice President Kamala Harris arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Saturday afternoon. She returned to Georgia in the wake of a record-breaking turnout for early voters, particularly in some of the state’s larger counties such as DeKalb, Cobb (over 83,000), Clayton, and Fulton County.

As of Friday night, more than 1.1 million Georgians voted early. Fulton County, the largest county in the state, has the most registered voters and most polling places, according to data provided by the Secretary of State’s Office.

7:17 p.m. – “If Jimmy Carter can vote early, you can too,” said Harris.

7:09 p.m. – During the rally several videos of inflammatory Trump comments during a Fox News Town Hall in Cumming earlier this week, incuding one involving the family of the late Amber Thurman, were played on big screens. This is something new Harris has brought to the rally stage and it feels effective. “I promised Amber’s mother that we will always tell her story and speak her name,” Harris said. Thurman’s parents were in attendance and received a standing ovation from the crowd.

6:48 p.m. – “Good evening, Georgia, we have work to do,” said Harris upon taking the stage. She thanked local digantaries and elected officials for being here to great and see her. Harris also took a moment to mention the people of Georgia that are still dealing with the devastation of Hurricane Helene. She said the Biden-Harris administration will continue to stand by them and help them as long as needed.

“This election is about two very different visions of our country,” said Harris, who said the Harris-Walz campaign is about addressing the middle class, helping small businesses, and protecting reproductive freedoms.

Harris said Trump is cancelling interviews and “ducking debates.” She took a much more aggressive take on Trump’s rally performances, saying he couldn’t keep focus and “concepts of a plan” for this country.

“America is ready to chart a new way forward,” she said. “We are ready for a new and optimistic generation of leadership.”

On her plan for the economy, her “opportunity economy,” Harris said she will make that a key focus of her administration if elected. She also said she will take on price gouging, child care cost, and the cost of living in the United States.

“I have a plan to bring down the cost of housing,” Harris added.

Harris also retold the story of taking care of her mother and re-explained what the term “sandwich generation” means.

During her speech she said “Make no mistake, we will win.” That comment got the crowd fired up. “We are not going back because we intend to move forward to the future.”

Though there were familiar talking points and jokes made during her time on stage, Harris seemed to have the attention of the large crowd, some of whom were children in attendance with parents. There was even a mother with a baby at the rally.

6:40 p.m. – Peachtree Ridge High School student and gun violence advocate Tyler Lee introduced Harris.

6:20 p.m. – Usher hit the stage and had the crowd rocking before he became serious and told the them that Georgia voters had work to do. “We have the power to change this moment in the present,” he said. “Let’s vote for a future, ladies and gentlemen.” Usher said he wants Kamala Harris to be the next President of the United States.

5:50 p.m. – The Vice President was at a rally in Detroit earlier in the day. Early voting in Michigan, another crucial battleground state this election season, began today. Upon her arrival at Hartsfied-Jackson International Airport, she was met on the tarmac by Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Senator Jon Ossoff, Congresswoman Nikema Williams, and Congressman Hank Johnson.

The presidential motorcade made its way to the Lakewood Amphiteater where thousands of people were waiting for arrival. The rally was one of the largest she had put on this year. Large signs that read, “Georgia Votes Early,” and “A New Way Forward For Georgia” stood above the stage.

“We only have 17 days until the most important election of our lifetime,” Williams spoke from the stage. Ossoff came on next and told the crowd that the nation was once again turning its eyes on Georgia “at a pivotal moment in American history.”

Senator Ossoff took a few moments to say former United States President Donald Trump was unprepared to resume the role of this country’s Commander-in-Chief. Ossoff spoke of Trump’s threats to take revenge on his political opponents and critics.

“I’m talking about his abuse of power,” Ossoff said. “This is about integrity. It’s up to us to turn the page on Donald Trump once and for all, Georgia.”

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