A recent internal memo shared amongst prominent Democratic factions unveils signs of trouble for Kamala Harris with younger demographics and voters of color. Mounting frustrations about the elites who financially support the party have been apparent, as certain organizations pushing voter mobilization express discomfort over insufficient funding in the closing stages of the presidential race. It highlights how two of the main Democratic entities involved in digital turnout strategies in contentious states issued a warning that outlining small-scale grassroots groups focusing on younger Black and Latino voters are severely underfinanced.
Authored by the Priorities USA, a Democratic super PAC, and the left-leaning advocacy coalition ProgressNow, the memo states that while Harris’s candidacy has breathed some life into the Democratic core, she has yet to fully win over minority voters. These voters are informed primarily through online sources and could sway election outcomes. The memo signals that data from ProgressNow suggests that the Vice President struggles to reach the level of support amongst Black, Latino, and young voters that Biden managed in key states like Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin during his 2020 run. Former President Biden arguably won due to a diverse coalition of voters; however, Harris is falling short of gaining similar levels of support.
The memo stresses an immediate need for better communication with these groups in order for Harris to have any chance of succeeding in the upcoming November election. According to the authors, Harris’s chances of success diminish daily due to insufficient funding designated to reaching these demographics, a trend that casts uncertainty on the party’s future.
This internal alert, intended for Democratic donors, also attempts to counter the presumption that Harris, being of both Black and Indian descent, will automatically energize voters of color in her favor. Democratic organizers are keen to point out that the mindsets of these crucial constituents are far from reassuring.
National polling trends mirror the memo’s revelations, citing a growth in Trump’s popularity amongst certain minority voters, especially young Black and Latino men. The influence of conservative advertisements designed for these demographics could potentially tilt these voters in favor of the GOP, highlighting an alarming gap in the Democratic party’s online targeting strategies.
Harris’s campaign, despite amassing one of the largest war chests in recent American political history, is limited by Federal Election Commission rules on coordination with external groups. Yet, the campaign has tried to indirectly support associated groups by recommending donors to them, even if their effectiveness remains questionable. For instance, BlackPAC and Priorities, aimed at mobilizing voters of color, have been named for potential donor support, exacerbating concerns about funding limitations within these groups.
Disturbingly, only days after Harris’s campaign identified several affiliated groups that need aid, executives of multiple Black media firms and voter mobilization entities convened with Wall Street allies. This meeting disclosed stark concern about their ability to rally Black and Latino voters due to limited resources. Top Black donors were urged to prompt their white counterparts in the elite donor class to contribute significantly to their efforts.
While organizers deny any coordination between the Harris campaign and their meeting, frequent and urgent discussions of these groups’ dire financial predicaments persist. More funds would aid these groups in reaching a broader audience across digital and social media platforms in battleground states.
Less than six weeks before Election Day, donors are being urged to fuel these groups’ political arms to carry out decidedly partisan promotions favoring Harris’s campaign. Despite stipulations surrounding certain fund allocations allowing only non-partisan educational messaging, organizers argue that more targeted strategies are needed to win over minority and younger voters.
Future Forward, a primary super PAC backing Harris’s campaign, has amassed a significant fund, but its primary focus remains on advertisements, rather than voter mobilization actions. This strategy is at odds with other national Democratic groups, leading to slow funding from donors, despite the campaign’s endorsement.
Given the looming election, organizers stress on the need for quick action from donors. The timeframe for utilizing funding effectively is narrowing continuously. Without swift financial support, the scale of political engagement needed seems unattainable.