Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign has been facing significant challenges due to the impact of Hurricanes Milton and Helene on the southeastern United States. With Hurricane Milton approaching the western coast of Florida, the campaign has been forced to evacuate staff and pause voter outreach efforts in the state. The campaign has also been closely monitoring the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, a key battleground state.
Senior campaign officials, led by campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon, have been actively involved in addressing the widespread ramifications of the hurricanes. The campaign has implemented protocols to halt voter outreach in Florida and ensure the safety of staff members in the storm’s path.
In response to the challenges posed by the hurricanes, the Harris campaign has launched a hotline staffed with hundreds of operators to assist voters with registration and voting inquiries. The campaign is particularly focused on helping voters navigate changes to polling locations in western North Carolina following the impact of Hurricane Helene.
Publicly, Vice President Harris has been actively engaged in the administration’s response efforts. She has participated in briefings with President Joe Biden and emphasized the severity of Hurricane Milton, urging residents to follow guidance from local officials.
Furthermore, the campaign has utilized the storm recovery efforts to highlight the differences between Harris and former President Donald Trump in terms of leadership during natural disasters. A new digital ad released by the campaign features former Trump administration officials criticizing his handling of such crises while in office.
As the campaign enters its final weeks, the Harris team remains focused on addressing the challenges posed by the hurricanes while maintaining a strong presence in key states. Despite the disruptions caused by the storms, the campaign continues to prioritize voter engagement and ensuring that all eligible voters have the opportunity to cast their ballots.