She’s going to lose their support.
Black Democratic strategists are expressing concerns regarding Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, particularly about its apparent preference for White-owned political firms over those owned by minorities.
According to a report from NOTUS, which is associated with the Allbritton Journalism Institute, during a call involving Harris and NAACP president Derrick Johnson, there was visible frustration regarding the campaign’s spending. Reports suggest that the campaign is projected to allocate less funding to Black-owned firms compared to President Biden’s campaign in 2020. A source close to the discussions remarked, “If Black voters are the base, it should be Black vendors telling the story,” emphasizing the need for clarity and accountability in the campaign’s decisions.
One Democratic consultant pointed out that the current spending on minority-owned firms is significantly lower—approximately one-fourth of what it was at this same point in the last election cycle. They expressed concern over the apparent lack of investment in minority vendors despite the campaign’s considerable funding and the necessity to engage minority voters effectively. The operative added that the conversation surrounding “Black spending” has become frustratingly complex and inadequate.
Cedric Richmond, a co-chair for the Harris campaign, defended the campaign’s approach, suggesting that the issues raised reflect a broader challenge within the Democratic Party rather than focusing solely on Harris. He acknowledged the importance of financial resources in political campaigns but also stressed the necessity of engaging minority voters with skilled individuals who can connect with them effectively.
While Harris has reportedly raised the issue of funding for minority firms within her campaign and the Biden campaign, sources indicate that it has not been prioritized. There remains uncertainty regarding how aware she is of the frustrations among Black operatives and vendors.
