First lady Jill Biden is set to campaign for Vice President Kamala Harris in North Carolina on the final day before the general election. This move comes as President Biden remains off the campaign trail, focusing on calls to thank service members for recent counterterrorism operations against ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
North Carolina, a key battleground state with 16 electoral votes, was won by former President Trump in both 2016 and 2020. Jill Biden will visit three cities in the state – Winston-Salem, Carrboro, and Durham – to rally support for Harris.
While neither Harris nor her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz, have events scheduled in North Carolina on Monday, the first lady's presence underscores the Democratic Party's efforts to secure crucial votes in the state.
President Biden, who has largely stayed away from the campaign trail since Harris took over as his replacement in July, recently attended a get-out-the-vote event in Scranton, Pennsylvania. His absence from active campaigning has been notable, with Harris also emphasizing her own vision for the presidency, distinct from Biden's.
In a recent statement, Harris made it clear that her presidency would not be a continuation of Biden's, highlighting her unique life experiences, professional background, and fresh ideas. She also addressed President Biden's controversial remarks about Trump supporters, stating her strong disagreement with any criticism based on political affiliations.
As the election draws near, the Democratic campaign strategy appears to be a mix of high-profile appearances by Jill Biden and a more subdued approach from President Biden. The differing styles of the first lady and the president reflect the party's multifaceted efforts to secure votes and present a united front in the final push towards Election Day.
