North Carolina Democrats See New Hope for November With Kamala Harris

State Democrats say they are seeing a significant boost in volunteers and enthusiasm that have them feeling more optimistic about November.

Kamala Harris (North Carolina) AP-20295673104286
Kathy Kmonicek/AP

Kamala Harris’ campaign for president has injected a shot of momentum into Democrats in North Carolina, a state Joe Biden hoped to add to his electoral map but where polls showed him lagging.

Party leaders in the state told NOTUS that they’re maneuvering to capitalize on the newfound grassroots enthusiasm and hope to carry it into November. Republicans, however, say Democrats are just in a honeymoon phase and that they still have time to turn newly excited voters against Harris.

Team Harris started the week after Biden dropped out with nearly 7,000 sign-ups to volunteer in North Carolina, an over 3000% increase from the previous week, the campaign said. Nearly 50% of new volunteers were first-time participants as well, it added. Democratic field offices in the state saw a 25% increase in weekly door-knocking events following the announcement, a source involved in North Carolina state House campaigns said.