Before Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost, the first Gen Z member of the House of Representatives helped launch the opening of the new Harris/Walz field office in South Phoenix yesterday evening (August 28, 2024,) he helped usher in the campaign’s Welcome Back to Campus Initiative with barnstorming appearances before returning college students at the University of Arizona and Arizona State University.
The Welcome Back to Campus Campaign is an effort by the Harris/Walz Ticket to build on the record turnout among college students in 2020 and 2022 and improve on those numbers in 2024 by “engaging and mobilizing young voters across 150 campuses in the battleground states — including Arizona State University, University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona University.”
The long-term goal, like the opening of offices in South Phoenix and rural parts of the country like those Vice President Harris and Governor Walz toured over the last two days in Georgia, is to run up the numbers among Democratic-leaning groups and cut into Trump-MAGA Republican voting strength in rural areas.
In a letter to college students to launch this Back to Campus Campaign, Vice President Harris wrote:
“Later this semester, you will have the opportunity to vote in an election that will decide the future of our country. You will have the power to shape our future. To continue to build the country you want to live in—one where your fundamental rights are protected—by taking to the ballot box and making your voice heard.”
“Your vote has never mattered more. When young people fight for progress, it changes the course of our nation. I believe in you. I am inspired by you. And I am rooting for your success.”
Last month, the Harris for President Campaign earned the endorsement of 17 Youth Groups from the Voters for Tomorrow Bloc including College Democrats of America, Young Democrats of America, High School Democrats of America, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Leaders We Deserve, Brady’s Team ENOUGH, Students Demand Action, Jr. Newtown Action Alliance, Grassroots Democrats HQ, Path to Progress, Blue Future, Progress Libs, Voices of Gen Z, Dream for America, Tour to Save Democracy, and Democratic Youth Coalition.
In their endorsement letter, the groups wrote:
“…This November, we will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in defeating Donald Trump and the extreme Project 2025 agenda he hopes to force on the country. With our futures at stake, our announcement today signals the youth movement’s unified front and marks an important moment in the fight against Donald Trump and J.D. Vance.”
“As a champion of reproductive freedom, climate action, economic justice, and gun violence prevention, Vice President Harris is uniquely equipped to build a coalition of young voters who will lead her to victory. Elevating Vice President Harris to the Oval Office would be historic: the first woman, first Asian American, and second Black president. As members of the most diverse generation in our nation’s history, a Kamala Harris presidency would be one in which we see ourselves.”
“At a time when our freedoms are under attack by Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025, we trust Vice President Harris to fight for us and the future we envision for our generation. Electing Vice President Harris is crucial to the success of our organizational missions and to the prosperity of young Americans. This is why our coalition of young activists, organizers, and leaders is stronger and more united than ever.”
Recent polling from the Voters for Tomorrow Bloc in the battleground states of Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, and Wisconsin showed the Vice President crushing Donald Trump with voters aged 18 to 29 by 32 points.
According to Harris/Walz Campaign organizers, the Back to School Initiative “will meet students where they are and turn the organic enthusiasm for Vice President Harris’ candidacy into increased voter registration, volunteering, and most importantly, votes” by:
- On-campus advertising and social media outreach.
- On-campus organizing.
- College campus barnstorming tours.
By emphasizing their goals of building on the successes of the Biden/Harris Administration with their New Way Forward/Opportunity Economy agenda while also showcasing the dangers Donald Trump and JD Vance pose to the future of the country and basic freedoms like reproductive choice and access to the ballot box, the Harris/Walz Ticket is confident these efforts will further galvanize Gen Z voters and bolster voter turnout this November with new record numbers.
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