"Gen Z Feels the Kamalove": Youth Groups Hope Kamala Harris Can Revive Democratic Support

Key Highlights

Gen Z’s Newfound Enthusiasm: Kamala Harris sees a surge of support from young voters after Biden’s exit.

Organizational Backing: Youth-led progressive groups nationwide rally behind Harris.

Campaign Dynamics: Both Kamala Harris and Trump target young voters, who are crucial in key swing states.

“Brats for Harris.” “We need a Kamalanomenon.” “Gen Z feels the Kamalove.”

In the wake of President Joe Biden’s decision to exit the presidential race and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris, Gen Z voters have flooded social media with coconut tree and “brat summer” memes, showing a newfound excitement for a generation that felt sidelined by the Democratic Party.

Youth-led progressive organizations have long voiced concerns about Biden’s disconnect with young voters, urging him to address their key issues. With Biden out, these groups now hope Harris can bridge the gap and energize young voters who have been pivotal in past elections.

Since Biden’s withdrawal, youth-led organizations from Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan, California, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania have expressed their gratitude and eagerness to support Harris. On Friday, a coalition of 17 youth-led groups officially endorsed her.

“This changes everything,” said Zo Tobi, director of donor organizing for the national youth organizing group Movement Voter Project, upon hearing of Biden’s exit and Kamala Harris’s endorsement. “The world as it is suddenly shifted into the world as it could be.”

New Campaign Phase

As the campaign evolves, both Kamala Harris and her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, are expected to intensify their efforts to win over young voters, who could be decisive in key battleground states. Trump, who addressed young conservatives at a Turning Point USA conference, continues to garner significant support among the youth, particularly for his direct approach and economic policies. Harris plans to address young voters through a virtual speech to Voters of Tomorrow, an organization focused on youth engagement.

John Della Volpe, director of polling at the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics and a former Biden advisor, described the current energy among young people as unprecedented since Barack Obama’s campaign. He noted that “the dynamic now is a mix of the hopefulness seen with Obama and the urgency felt after the Parkland shooting.”

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For many young people, this election is the first time they feel truly heard and believe their actions can influence politics. “It’s reset this election in profound ways,” Della Volpe said. “Young people have been despondent about politics and the country’s direction, but now it seems like everything’s changed.”

Shifting Dynamics

In the 2020 election, about 60% of adults under 30 voted for Biden, according to AP VoteCast, but his approval ratings among this group have since plummeted. Recent polls from The New York Times/Siena and CNN suggest that Harris starts with slightly better favorability ratings among young adults compared to Biden.

Sunjay Muralitharan, vice president of College Democrats of America, felt relieved when Harris entered the race. Despite regular coalition calls with the Biden campaign, he had worried about Biden’s appeal to young voters, as many had drifted towards more leftist groups.

Muralitharan sees Harris’s candidacy as a chance to pivot. The vice president’s strong stances on climate change and reproductive rights resonate with young voters. He also hopes Harris will address contentious issues like the Gaza conflict differently from Biden.

“The roadblock we’ve encountered is Biden being seen as the lesser of two evils, especially concerning the Gaza crisis,” Muralitharan said. “We’ve struggled to mobilize young voters, but that changes now.”

Santiago Mayer, executive director of Gen Z voter engagement group Voters of Tomorrow, noted that the Biden campaign had set a new standard for collaboration with youth organizations, which can now transition to supporting Harris. “Gen Z loves VP Kamala Harris, and VP Kamala Harris loves Gen Z,” he said. “We’re ready to get to work for her.”

Trump’s Strategy

Meanwhile, Donald Trump continues to capitalize on the enthusiasm of young conservatives. His promises of economic growth, job creation, and direct engagement with the issues resonate deeply with a segment of Gen Z. Trump’s ability to connect with young voters on platforms like Twitter and Truth Social has helped him maintain a robust base among the youth.

Trump’s campaign is keenly aware of the importance of young voters and is expected to roll out initiatives targeting this demographic. His straightforward communication style and focus on practical solutions often appeal to young voters disillusioned by traditional political rhetoric.

As the election heats up, the battle for the hearts and minds of young voters will be critical. Harris aims to harness the energy of progressive youth, while Trump seeks to reinforce his connection with young conservatives, setting the stage for a dynamic and unpredictable campaign season.