RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — On Saturday, Vice President Kamala Harris rolled up her sleeves and helped pack aid boxes for victims of Hurricane Helene, emphasizing the need for community support. At The Pit Authentic Barbecue restaurant in Raleigh, Harris joined volunteers to assemble packages filled with essentials such as baby formula, pain relief medications, and diapers—an initiative sparked by the devastating hurricane, which recently ravaged parts of North Carolina.
"It takes a village," Harris agreed with Greg Hatem, the restaurant owner, as she placed diapers thoughtfully inside the cardboard boxes laid out before her. Her efforts highlighted the administration’s commitment to providing immediate aid to those impacted by the disaster.
During her visit, Harris also held discussions with local Black leaders before stepping out to package the supplies. This trip to North Carolina was part of her campaign to garner support as the Democratic presidential nominee, especially focusing on states like North Carolina where the outcome can be pivotal. After narrowly losing North Carolina to Donald Trump in 2020, Democrats are determined to flip the state for the upcoming election.
On the following Sunday, Harris planned to attend church services in Greenville and participate in the “Souls to the Polls” initiative, which aims to boost voter turnout among the community. She was slated to hold rallies to energize supporters and discuss her economic plans, coinciding with the kickoff of early voting scheduled to start shortly.
Hurricane Helene made landfall on September 26, causing catastrophic damage, resulting in approximately 230 fatalities and extensive destruction of infrastructure, including roads and utilities. Two weeks later, Hurricane Milton struck Florida, causing additional havoc estimated at $50 billion, underscoring the urgency of Harris’s visit and the administration’s response.
Before leaving Washington for her trip, Harris expressed her intention to connect with residents to assess their recovery needs. "I look forward to talking with residents, first and foremost to see how they’re doing after the hurricane," she remarked. Also on her agenda was to unify the Democratic base, especially targeting Black and college-educated voters, along with women concerned about recent changes to abortion protections.
The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has sparked controversy as former President Trump and his allies have criticized the Biden administration's response, alleging mismanagement and claiming emergency relief went to immigrants instead of the disaster victims. At rallies, Trump has intensified his attacks, contrasting the administration's response to the infamous Hurricane Katrina, which occurred nearly two decades ago, claiming, "North Carolina’s been hit very hard and this administration has not done a proper job at all. Terrible, terrible." President Biden has countered these claims, labeling them as "un-American" and urging Trump to focus on constructive actions.
Meanwhile, Harris has highlighted concerns about price gouging, echoing a call-to-action to prevent companies from taking advantage of the crisis by inflaming prices during such vulnerable times: "To any company or individual using this crisis to jack up prices through illegal fraud or price gouging, whether it be at the gas pump, the airport, or the hotel counter, we will be monitoring and there will be consequences." This pledge forms part of her broader campaign strategy to tackle inflation, which has become central to the current political discourse.
Harris's engagement with North Carolina's community and her proactive approach to both recovery efforts and political campaigning reveal the intersection of immediate disaster relief and longer-term electoral strategy. It also showcases her commitment to ensuring the administration’s initiatives, such as disaster relief and economic safeguards, reflect upon the quality of life for all constituents affected.
Through these actions, Harris not only seeks to bring relief to those suffering from the recent hurricanes but also aims to solidify her and the party’s standing as the election approaches. The vice president's regular visits to areas affected by natural disasters align with the Democratic campaign's focus on grassroots initiatives and fostering community solidarity during troubling times.
The political stakes are high as North Carolina, known as a swing state, may determine the direction of the upcoming presidential elections. With her campaign rally set at East Carolina University, Harris's event is currently said to have reached full capacity. Precedent shows potential success for either candidate hinges on voter mobilization, particularly among demographics traditionally leaning Democratic.
Harris’ visit serves as both a immediate response to disaster and as groundwork for political mobilization, reflective of the multifaceted responsibilities of her role as Vice President. The next few weeks remain pivotal for Harris and the Democratic campaign, as they navigate voter sentiments, recovery efforts, and the pressing aura of competition leading up to the polls.
