Harris Plans Series of Events in Election Year
WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris is intensifying her efforts to secure abortion rights as the election year gets underway. With the goal of rallying voters to support President Joe Biden’s second term and Democrats’ bid to regain control of Congress, Harris will be hosting a series of events across the country.
First Event Scheduled for Wisconsin on Jan. 22
Harris’s first event is set to take place in Wisconsin on Jan. 22, coinciding with the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion nationwide. Although the decision was overturned in 2022 in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, Harris remains committed to fighting for women’s reproductive rights.
“I will continue to fight for our fundamental freedoms while bringing together those throughout America who agree that every woman should have the right to make decisions about her own body — not the government,” stated Harris.
Wisconsin, a crucial battleground state where access to abortion has been in flux since the Supreme Court ruling, sets the stage for Harris’s campaign. Dates and locations for the rest of her tour have yet to be announced.
Democrats Seek to Recover from the Loss of Roe v. Wade
The overturning of Roe v. Wade dealt a significant blow to Democrats, and the road to restoring nationwide abortion rights remains unclear as Republican-led states continue to impose new restrictions. However, Democrats managed to leverage public outrage over the decision to mitigate their losses in the 2022 midterms. As a result, Republicans only narrowly secured control of the House, falling short of the predicted landslide victories.
Looking ahead, Democrats plan to make the abortion issue a central rallying cry in the 2024 elections. While vice presidents typically play a limited role in election campaigns, Harris is poised to have a significant impact next year.
One reason for this is President Biden’s age, as he would be 86 by the end of his second term. Additionally, Harris has been at the forefront of the White House’s efforts on abortion, holding over 50 events in at least 16 states alongside lawmakers, attorneys general, activists, and healthcare providers. She also made the issue a focal point during her recent college tour, engaging with students on campuses across the country.