Kamala Harris returned to the campaign trail, marking her first public appearance since her loss in the 2024 presidential election. The former vice president joined Democratic congressional candidate Aftyn Behn in Tennessee, signifying a renewed push in a challenging race. Harris headlined a canvassing kickoff event in Nashville after visiting Fisk University and prior to her book tour for “107 Days.”
Her return comes amid a spirited environment for Democrats, following recent gubernatorial victories in Virginia and New Jersey. However, winning Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District presents a significant hurdle. Historically, this district has favored Republicans, with Harris facing skepticism from party insiders. Republican National Committee Spokeswoman Delanie Bomar quipped, “Kamala Harris must’ve fallen out of the coconut tree if she thinks the AOC of Tennessee stands a chance. This is Trump country.”
While speaking to the crowd at Hadley Park, Harris stressed the importance of Southern power. She urged attendees to rally for voter turnout, although she did not directly mention Behn by name. This event followed her earlier rally supporting California’s redistricting efforts aimed at countering Trump-backed congressional map alterations across the country.
In Tennessee, Aftyn Behn, self-identified as a “p—- off social worker,” has developed a progressive profile in her campaign. Behn’s motivation to run stemmed from her opposition to the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” a piece of legislation she criticized as a significant transfer of wealth to the affluent. She and other youth-oriented Democrats, including prominent activist David Hogg, have rallied around the belief that young voters could flip the district. Hogg remarked, “If young people turn out and vote here, we can flip this seat and send a clear message to Donald Trump and Republicans across the country.”
Despite the Democratic enthusiasm, Behn faces challenges. Donald Trump’s endorsement of Republican candidate Matt Van Epps, paired with significant support from the RNC and outside funding groups like MAGA Inc., creates a formidable barrier. Van Epps recently won an 11-candidate primary field to secure the Republican nomination.
The dynamics of Tennessee’s 7th District are complicated. A Democrat hasn’t secured a seat here in decades, and Harris’s presence might not be enough to shift the electoral map. As major endorsements and funding align behind Van Epps, Behn’s path to victory seems steep.
The coming weeks will determine whether Behn, with Harris’s backing and the mobilization of younger voters, can challenge the well-entrenched Republican hold, or if the national energy supporting Trump will prove too strong in what is still considered a “Trump country” district.
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