Opinion: Kamala Harris: The Down-Ticket Savior California Needed
Jasmyne Cannick | Special to California Black Media Partners
OPINION (CBM) – President Joe Biden not seeking re-election isn’t just good for Democrats looking to stave off a second Donald Trump presidency, but it’s good news for all the other candidates (and propositions) on the ballot.
Before Biden’s announcement, it was reported that millions of Democratic voters were planning to sit out the November election altogether.
This unexpected, but much needed, turn of events has generated a wave of reactions across the nation, but one thing is clear: Vice-President Kamala Harris’s entry into the presidential race is going to provide a significant boost to down-ticket races for the Democratic Party.
Before Biden’s delayed departure from the election, the Democratic Party was doing an excellent job at ignoring the increasing number of voters of all ages who were not willing to compromise their morals or values in November and vote for Biden – “the lesser of two evils” from their perspective.
From the administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas War, immigration, the economy, and more — these Democrats were okay with dealing with the consequences of Biden losing, understanding that their voices would still go unheard, and they would struggle whether Republicans or Democrats win the White House.
And that was before Biden’s Weekend at Bernie’s debate performance.
Biden staying on the ticket wasn’t just going to hurt our chances to keep The White House and democracy alive in the US, but it was going to hurt all the local and state candidates and propositions on the November ballot had Democratic voters sat this one out.
I haven’t seen this much excitement for a candidate since then Senator Barack Obama earned the nomination of the Democratic Party back in 2008.
Whether you like her not, for millions of Democrats, Kamala Harris represents a new era of leadership, one that is more inclusive and reflective of America’s diverse population. Within hours, her candidacy galvanized a broad coalition of voters, including women, People of Color, and young people. This renewed enthusiasm at the top of the ticket is going to have a ripple effect, energizing the base and increasing voter turnout, which is crucial for down-ticket candidates.
For states like California and counties like Los Angeles, the largest in the US, this is a game changer.
Californians have 10 ballot propositions on their November ballot. Among them, a controversial ballot proposition to repeal parts of Proposition 47 (Prop 47) and increase drug crime and theft penalties and allow a new class of crime to be called treatment-mandated felonies, which would require offenders to either participate in drug or mental health treatment or both.
Prop 47 was a ballot measure passed by California voters in 2014 that made some non-violent property crimes, where the value does not exceed $950, into misdemeanors. It also made some simple drug possession offenses into misdemeanors and provided for past convictions for these charges to be reduced to a misdemeanor by a court.
Low Democratic voter turnout could work in favor of this conservative-backed proposition.
Harris’s historic candidacy as the first Black and South Asian woman on a major party’s presidential ticket holds immense symbolic value. Her presence has already mobilized minority voters who feel underrepresented in the political arena. Increased turnout among these demographics can significantly impact races at all levels which is going to be especially key for progressive candidates like L.A. County District Attorney George Gascón and criminal justice reform measures on the November ballot whom these voters are more likely favor.
Facts. Harris’s candidacy has energized the base, already mobilized key voter demographics, and strengthened the party’s overall electoral chances. As we move towards the election, Harris is going to be a powerful catalyst for important down-ticket races. She was just the lifesaving move that had to happen in order to bring the Democratic Party back to life because all races on the ballot with Democrats were going to suffer had Biden stayed on the ticket.
Now, on to November.
About the Author
Jasmyne Cannick is a Democratic strategist and was elected delegate to the LA County Democratic Party.
