Young political leaders in Georgia discuss how a new Democratic candidate affects organizing

Attendees at Kamala Harris's campaign rally in Atlanta on July 30, 2024, hold up a sign and t-shirt that spell out the presumptive nominee's name.
Attendees at Kamala Harris's campaign rally in Atlanta on July 30, 2024, hold up a sign and t-shirt that spell out the presumptive nominee's name. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

President Joe Biden’s decision not to run for a second term and to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris has thoroughly shaken up the presidential race.

Political organizers hope the moment will reinvigorate younger voters who have previously expressed low levels of interest in the campaigns.

Parker Short is the president of the Young Democrats of Georgia, and Jacquelyn Harn is the executive director of the Georgia Young Republicans.



Harn said the change doesn’t really affect their organizing strategy because Republicans feel Harris represents many of the same policy positions as President Biden.

Short, on the other hand, said while he has an immense mount of respect for President Biden, having Harris at the top of the ticket has changed the conversation.

Both organizers said they expect young voters to be key to winning swing states like Georgia.

They joined “All Things Considered” to talk about how, if at all, the new Democratic candidate might change their organizing strategies for November.