Kamala Harris recently held a rally in Houston with the support of superstar Beyoncé Knowles-Carter to highlight the threat to federal abortion rights posed by ex-President Donald Trump. Harris emphasized that Trump would likely pursue a national abortion ban if reelected, pointing out the implications of his nominations to the US Supreme Court. Beyoncé, speaking before Harris, urged the crowd to vote, emphasizing the power of their voices and their votes.
The event with Beyoncé is just one of many celebrity endorsements Harris is expected to lean on in the final stretch before the election. Earlier in the week, Bruce Springsteen and Barack Obama rallied for Harris in Georgia, and upcoming events include appearances by Gracie Abrams, Mumford & Sons, and Remi Wolf. Harris is also planning a speech on the National Mall and a sit-down interview with CBS News to make her closing argument to voters.
The impact of celebrity endorsements on elections is significant, with studies showing that endorsements like Oprah Winfrey’s support of Obama in 2008 can sway voters. Beyoncé, with her immense popularity and influence, could help drive turnout among key demographics like young voters and people of color. Harris is hoping that these events and endorsements will help boost her campaign as polls show her in a tight race with Trump in battleground states.
Reproductive rights have emerged as a key issue in this election, with a Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll showing that it is the most important issue for 12% of likely voters in battleground states. Harris, with her strong stance on reproductive freedom, aims to rally support around this issue. The rally in Houston ended with Beyoncé’s song “Freedom,” a fitting conclusion to an event focused on empowering voters to make their voices heard in this critical election.
