During her campaign stop in North Carolina, Vice President Kamala Harris visited a local volunteer aid station to help pack relief supplies for victims of Hurricane Helene. Harris, a Democratic presidential candidate, rolled up her sleeves and assisted in preparing care packages filled with diapers, bandages, infant formula, wet wipes, and pain relievers for those affected by the devastating hurricane that struck in September.
At The Pit Authentic Barbecue restaurant in Raleigh, Harris listened intently as the owner, Greg Hatem, spoke about community solidarity, emphasizing the phrase “one life in the same village.” Harris responded with a heartfelt agreement, saying, “You’re absolutely right,” as she contributed by placing two bags of diapers into a relief box.
Harris’s evening was dedicated to connecting with African American leaders at the barbecue joint before continuing her work preparing aid packages for Hurricane Helene survivors alongside other volunteers. Her time in North Carolina is pivotal as the state slightly favored her opponent, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, in the 2020 elections. The Democratic Party is putting in a concerted effort to turn the tide in North Carolina for the upcoming presidential election in November.
On the 13th, Harris preached at a church service in Greenville as part of her “Faithful to Vote” campaign, aiming to encourage voter turnout. Following her visit to assess the hurricane damage and pledge federal assistance to the victims, she expressed her eagerness to engage with residents to gain firsthand insight into their experiences post-hurricane.
The Democratic Party sees potential in appealing to the state’s African American and college-educated voters this year, particularly as women express deep concern about their abortion rights. However, the aftermath of Hurricane Helene has turned into a contentious political issue, with Trump and his allies criticizing the Biden administration’s disaster response.
After her church visit, Harris, a Baptist herself, planned to deliver a speech at a rally to discuss her economic agenda, hoping to galvanize early voters ahead of North Carolina’s early voting period starting on the 17th. One of her main economic proposals focuses on preventing corporations from price gouging in the wake of the hurricane’s devastation, addressing inflation as a key campaign issue.
