As the election approaches, the Harris campaign is intensifying its efforts to connect with small businesses across several battleground states. This week, surrogates will visit small businesses in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, aiming to consolidate support from marginalized communities that played a pivotal role in the previous election. However, it’s notable that Vice President Harris will not be present at these events, which raises questions about her direct engagement with these vital voters. While the campaign identifies “elected officials” and “community leaders” as representatives, the lack of specific names brings an element of uncertainty to the outreach effort.
The campaign titled “Small Business for Harris-Walz” is particularly focused on the Black and Latino communities—two demographics that, while crucial to the Democratic base in 2020, have shown signs of drifting towards the Republican nominee, Donald Trump. This shift is an alarming trend for Democrats, especially as Trump openly appeals to these voters, asserting they would benefit under his leadership. Harris’s campaign seems to recognize the urgency of re-establishing connections with these communities in order to counter Trump’s narrative, which has already gained traction amid economic recovery post-pandemic.
Reflecting on past campaign strategies, the Harris campaign appears to be emulating some of Joe Biden’s successful tactics, particularly those focused on demonstrating tangible support for Black and Latino-owned businesses. Biden had previously emphasized the economic achievements of small businesses during his term to close the racial wealth gap. Harris is poised to adopt a similar narrative, which emphasizes not only her commitment to these communities but also highlights a stark contrast with her Republican rival.
Richard Garcia, the campaign’s small business engagement director, remarked that Harris represents the interests of small businesses, portraying Trump as self-serving. However, creating a distinct and credible disparity between Harris’s policies and Trump’s promises will require more than rhetoric; presenting actionable plans that resonate with small business owners is essential.
On the policy front, Harris has unveiled a proposal to increase the tax deduction for small business startup expenses from $5,000 to a substantial $50,000. This significant increase can potentially alleviate financial burdens for entrepreneurs in starting businesses, signaling a shift towards long-term economic empowerment for marginalized constituents. The campaign’s commitment to actionable policies is crucial since merely focusing on demographics without substantial measures could undermine their outreach efforts.
While the Harris campaign’s initiative to connect with small businesses illustrates a strategic effort to rebuild alliances with key voter groups, the absence of Harris at these pivotal events is concerning. As the campaign unfolds, it will be paramount for Harris and her team to not only capture the sentiments of small business owners but also to actively demonstrate that her administration would prioritize their struggles and success through meaningful policies. As the competition heats up, the effectiveness of these strategies in reclaiming lost voter trust will be put to the test.