North Carolina lawmakers assess Harris' candidacy

Vice President Kamala Harris appears to have garnered the support of roughly 3,000 Democratic delegates — 1,000 more than she needs to become her party’s nominee for president. North Carolina is once again in the national spotlight as a key battleground state in the race, and politicians in Raleigh are responding to the prospect of a Harris candidacy and what it might mean in the fall. 

According to the North Carolina Democratic party, all delegates in the state have pledged their support for Harris. Among them is State Senator Paul Lowe who represents Forsyth County. He calls Harris a quick study, and touts her former roles as prosecuting attorney, senator and vice president as being among her strongest assets.

"You’ve done the legislative and now you’re on another side of it. You’ve done the judiciary and now on another side of it: the executive branch," he says. "So, I think she brings those experiences. You know, she’s a woman — African American and of mixed descent. So, she brings all of this experience, and I think that’s a good thing."

Lowe also points to Harris’ fundraising success — she’s raised over $120 million since President Biden’s announcement — and that more young people appear to be energized by her candidacy.

State Senate leader Phil Berger acknowledges that Harris’ current standing — at least within her own party — appears strong. But he adds that as Vice President she carries with her all of the pluses and minuses of the Biden administration. He says he expects this current honeymoon period for Harris to be short-lived.   

"I think a deeper dive which will take place I’m sure — I’m sure the Trump campaign and the press and individual voters will start paying more attention to what she says now," says Berger. "But also paying more attention to what she may have said in the past."

Berger also points out Harris’ progressive track record during her time in the U.S. Senate. According to GovTrack, a government transparency website, when Harris was a senator there was only one member whose voting record was more progressive than hers: Bernie Sanders.