Kamala Harris' campaign rally for Newsom canceled after Afghanistan attacks
Vice President Kamala Harris will not campaign on Friday for Gavin Newsom amid his recall fight, skipping a planned Bay Area rally for the Democratic governor.
Harris, returning from a weeklong trip in Southeast Asia, will head back to Washington D.C., her spokesperson tweeted Thursday afternoon. A campaign spokesperson for Newsom confirmed that Harris will not join Newsom for the Friday car rally, which is now canceled.
While no reason was provided for Harris skipping the event, the cancellation follows deadly attacks at the Kabul airport which have killed a dozen U.S. troops and left many more injured. President Joe Biden delayed a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Thursday following the attacks. Travel for the first lady is being postponed and second gentleman Douglas Emhoff canceled planned events for the day as well.
Newsom is facing a tight recall election on Sept. 14. While Democrats vastly outnumber Republicans in California, high enthusiasm among Republican voters and low turnout among Democrats could propel a Republican to the governor’s mansion in Sacramento — a FiveThirtyEight polling average from last week shows Newsom barely beating the recall challenge by one point.
Harris began her political career as a prosecutor in the Bay Area, a Democratic bastion where she retains support. A visit could help galvanize Democratic voters against recalling Newsom, as his campaign focuses on increasing voter turnout.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Wednesday that Biden would campaign for Newsom, though it is unclear if the president will be able to, following the Kabul attacks.