On Sunday, a remarkable turnout of seniors gathered at The Villages, a large retirement community in Florida known as a Republican stronghold, to show their support for Kamala Harris. Over 600 people attended the event at the Democratic headquarters in Wildwood, part of a statewide effort to bolster the Harris-Walz campaign.
Florida, once a key swing state with 30 Electoral College votes, saw Trump win in 2016 and 2020. Right now, he maintains a lead in the polls, averaging a 4.6 percent advantage, according to FiveThirtyEight. In 2020, Trump won The Villages by a whopping 30 points.
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Sumter County Democratic Party Chairman Bob Berg expressed his excitement over the turnout, mentioning that many volunteers arrived early for the 3 p.m. event. Cris Andersen, vice chair of the Sumter County Democrats, said, “We all came together to celebrate the convention,” while registering volunteers.
Kari Molinares, the Florida communications manager for the Harris campaign, shared footage on X, formerly Twitter, highlighting the impressive turnout. “The Villages is out in full force for Team Harris-Walz,” she stated, indicating they had anticipated over 500 participants.
The video showcases crowds of seniors proudly holding Harris/Walz signs and wearing campaign gear, having garnered over 436,000 views by Monday.
BREAKING: The Villages is out in full force for Team Harris-Walz. We expect over 500 Florida seniors today to join in on some fun activities and sign up to volunteer to canvass and phone bank! pic.twitter.com/lNklqgntNW
— Karol Molinares (@KarolMolinares) August 18, 2024
Democratic candidate Barbie Harden Hall also shared a video showcasing numerous golf carts in support of Harris, reflecting an unexpected wave of enthusiasm in the traditionally Republican area.
Jaime Harrison, Chair of the Democratic National Committee, noted the palpable energy at the event, comparing it to the excitement seen during Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign. The Florida Democratic Party reported that Harris’ campaign has inspired nearly 10,000 new volunteers, with many hailing from conservative regions like The Villages.
Interestingly, a recent Emerson College poll indicated that more seniors are leaning towards Harris than Trump, which deviates from the typical Republican preference among older voters.