Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign has ramped up efforts in Pennsylvania, with second gentleman Doug Emhoff playing a central role in encouraging voter turnout before the upcoming debate against former President Donald Trump.

Emhoff has been traveling across the state, speaking to communities and urging people to register to vote before the Oct. 21 deadline, underscoring Pennsylvania's significance as a battleground state in the upcoming election and in his wife's bid for the White House, as the Washington Examiner reports.

The second gentleman's engagement in Pennsylvania is part of a larger strategy to boost voter participation in key areas before the election, as Harris's campaign prepares for a close race.

Emhoff addressed a crowd of campaign volunteers in Norristown on Sunday, labeling former President Donald Trump’s recent comments about prosecuting those involved in the 2020 election as "unhinged."

He went on to criticize the former president, accusing him of "literally still lying about the 2020 election" and threatening to jail opponents who stand in his way. Emhoff's remarks come at a time when Harris is ramping up her outreach across the state, with her campaign focusing on rallying support ahead of the debate and the election.

Reproductive Rights, Voter Registration at Forefront

During his visit to Norristown, Emhoff also touched on critical issues such as reproductive rights, Project 2025, and small-business initiatives championed by Harris. He emphasized his belief in the need for voter registration efforts, particularly with Pennsylvania’s Oct. 21 deadline approaching, and he also encouraged early voting, which began on Sept. 16.

The Harris campaign is doubling down on Pennsylvania, a state that played a pivotal role in the last two presidential elections. Trump narrowly won the state in 2016, but Biden flipped it back in 2020 by a margin of over 80,000 votes. Emhoff’s speeches reflect the Harris campaign's focus on ensuring voter turnout remains high, particularly in key regions such as Norristown.

At the same event, Emhoff was joined by Reps. Mary Gay Scanlon, Madeleine Dean, and Ted Lieu, who spoke about the importance of Pennsylvania in the upcoming election. The state has seen nearly 500 campaign events aimed at mobilizing voters, ranging from canvassing to phone banks.

Engaging Pennsylvania's Diverse Communities

In addition to Norristown, Emhoff, along with Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, attended a separate event in Allentown, where they engaged with the Latino community, whose population has grown by 40% over the past 14 years. This outreach is a key part of Harris’s strategy to appeal to the state's diverse electorate, particularly in areas where Latino voters are expected to play a significant role.

While Emhoff refrained from discussing his Jewish faith during the Norristown event following the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, the Harris campaign continues to focus on the Jewish electorate in Pennsylvania, which leans heavily Democratic. This demographic, alongside growing Latino voter participation, could be decisive in determining the outcome of the election.

Voter Turnout Remains Central Concern

The Harris campaign's efforts in Pennsylvania are not just limited to rallying the Democratic base. The campaign is also focusing on voters who supported Republican candidates such as Nikki Haley during the GOP primary. Harris supporters remain confident despite polling showing a close race, with many emphasizing the need to counter Republican strongholds in rural areas.

Campaign volunteer Kassel Coover, motivated by fear of a potential second Trump term, has been canvassing extensively in support of Harris. Coover remarked on her efforts to gather as many voters as possible, acknowledging that her husband may vote for Trump to "cancel out" her vote. She is determined to ensure her efforts count for more in the final tally.

Caroline Bradley, another volunteer, has switched from the Republican Party to support Harris and is focusing on boosting voter turnout in Chester County, one of the Philadelphia-area collar counties. She stated the importance of winning the region by large margins to counterbalance Republican strongholds in central Pennsylvania.

Underdog Status Drives Campaign Momentum

Despite the challenges, the Harris campaign has built a significant presence in the state, with 50 field offices and 350 staffers working to mobilize voters across rural and Republican-leaning areas. Actor Robert De Niro has also been involved in the campaign, participating in a Zoom call to fundraise and encourage voter engagement.

Harris’s team is framing the campaign as an underdog effort, using the uphill battle to drive enthusiasm and turnout. The campaign’s extensive ground operations, combined with voter outreach efforts, are aimed at ensuring Pennsylvania remains a key state for Harris in the upcoming election.

The Trump campaign, meanwhile, continues to maintain a strong presence in Pennsylvania, with fewer field offices but frequent visits from both Trump and his running mate, J.D. Vance. Despite the Republican efforts, Harris's team remains optimistic, highlighting Pennsylvania's workers and cities like Philadelphia as key components of their path to victory.

Conclusion

As the presidential debate draws near, the Harris campaign is intensifying its efforts in Pennsylvania, with Doug Emhoff at the forefront.

From emphasizing reproductive rights to urging voter registration, the campaign is leaving no stone unturned. Volunteers are mobilizing across the state, with a particular focus on key battleground regions, all in a bid to keep Pennsylvania in Democratic hands.

With a close race predicted, Harris's supporters are working hard to counter Republican efforts and maintain momentum heading into November.