Vice President Kamala Harris is visiting the state's largest Historically Black College or University (HBCU) Friday to headline a get-out-the-vote event at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg County.
Jaime Harrison, the Democratic National Chair, and Orangeburg native, will also speak at the rally. The vice president’s appearance is a part of President Joe Biden’s re-election strategy to encourage Black voters to get to the polls.
Troy Moore, a student at South Carolina State University, is looking forward to the Vice President’s visit amidst a history of African American skepticism when it comes to voting and the American democracy.
"While societal evolution is occurring, the trust in political promises remains challenging," Moore said. "I look forward to her visit, and hope it inspires young individuals at SC State to actively participate in the upcoming presidential election."
According to campaign officials, Harris’ speech on Friday will address how HBCU funding has increased by record numbers under the Biden administration and how Black Americans could be hurt if a Republican is elected to the White House.
Hamilton Grant, a Richland County community advocate, and a South Carolina State University alumnus, considers the visit a sign of the administration's commitment to these historic institutions.
"As a graduate herself of an HBCU, she understands the importance of making her case to this generation's leaders," said Hamilton Grant, a Richland County community advocate, and a South Carolina State University alumnus.
Vice President Harris completed her undergraduate degree at Howard University, an HBCU located in Washington, D.C. in 1986.
Sen. Deon Tedder (D-SC) stated he is excited that Harris wants to motivate young voters.
"I am elated that Vice President Harris is visiting South Carolina State University. She, like myself, have always been a supporter of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and it's important for the students to see that graduates of HBCUs are breaking glass ceilings and among the best," Tedder said.
The Biden-Harris reelection team has descended on the Palmetto State hard before the first Democratic Presidential primary on Feb. 3.
Last weekend, the president spoke at the South Carolina Democratic Party’s “First-in-the-Nation Dinner,” and in early January, he spoke at Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Charleston.
"The truth is, I wouldn't be here without the Democratic voters of South Carolina, and that's a fact," Biden said at the dinner. "... From the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you, thank you."
In early January, Harris spoke at the 7th Episcopal District AME Church Missionary Society annual retreat in Myrtle Beach. She was then the keynote speaker at the annual S.C. NAACP King Day at the Dome, a protest march honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Day that began in 2000 as a call to remove the Confederate flag from atop the Statehouse dome.
President Joe Biden, Dean Phillips, and Marianne Williamson are vying for the Democratic party nomination.
Early voting centers are open at each respective county’s Board of Voter Registration & Elections offices from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. South Carolinians can vote on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at respective precincts.
