The Biden administration is determined to promote economic opportunities for Black Americans and mobilize this crucial voting base for Democrats before the November election. Vice President Harris will begin a multistate tour on Monday to highlight the administration’s initiatives in supporting small businesses, job growth, student loan debt forgiveness, and affordable housing.
Harris has already made over 35 trips to 16 states this year, including a tour of historically Black colleges and universities during Black History month and a visit to Black Wall Street in Durham, N.C., to announce funds to support historically underserved entrepreneurs. However, polls show that Black voters are becoming increasingly disillusioned with the Democratic Party, with 30 percent of Black men saying they would potentially vote for former President Trump in the upcoming election, compared to 12 percent in the 2020 election, where 87 percent voted for Biden.
Trump is aiming to build on the support he gained from Black voters in 2020, while the Biden-Harris campaign has released television ads highlighting the consequences of Trump being reelected for Black Americans. The new tour by Harris emphasizes the need for outreach to focus on policy rather than just politics. A senior official stated that Harris believes that trust needs to be earned on these critical issues affecting Black Americans.