US elections 2024: Muslim-American vote in focus as 'Abandon Harris' campaign intensifies

The " Abandon Harris " campaign is intensifying its efforts to mobilize Muslim-American voters against Vice President Kamala Harris , focusing on key swing states in the upcoming election. This renewed push comes in response to Harris’s stance on the Gaza conflict , which the campaign criticizes as inadequate.

The campaign's statement on X last week condemned Harris for her support of policies they claim contribute to ongoing violence in Gaza. “We are not interested in hollow rhetoric or empty platitudes,” the campaign said, criticizing Harris for not addressing their concerns about the Gaza situation.

Originally based in Dearborn, Michigan—a city with a large Muslim population—the campaign initially focused on President Biden’s re-election campaign, arguing that his support for Israel was problematic. The campaign successfully mobilized over 100,000 voters to cast uncommitted ballots in Michigan during the primaries.

Following Biden's withdrawal from the race and Harris's ascension as the Democratic nominee, the campaign shifted its focus to Harris. The group’s criticism of Harris highlights their dissatisfaction with her response to their demands for policy changes regarding Gaza.

The campaign's influence is expanding to other critical swing states such as Wisconsin. These states, which have been decided by narrow margins in previous elections, are now seeing significant mobilization efforts from the campaign. According to Real Clear Politics Polling average, Harris has narrow leads in both Michigan (1.1 points) and Wisconsin (1.4 points).

The campaign is also targeting additional swing states, having gained traction in Minnesota during the primary season. Although they have not endorsed any third-party candidate, the campaign urges Muslim-American voters to explore alternatives to the major parties as a protest against their stance on Gaza.

A spokesperson for the campaign mentioned their efforts to engage with Harris, stating, “We have extended an olive branch to Kamala Harris and expressed our openness to dialogue. However, after her recent rally in Michigan and her response to our concerns, we launched Abandon Harris on August 19.”

The spokesperson added that while they do not support former President Donald Trump, they emphasize that abstaining from voting is not an option. “We have consistently urged voters not to support either the Democratic or Republican parties,” they said.

The Harris campaign has not yet responded to requests for comment. The growing influence of the "Abandon Harris" campaign within the Muslim-American community could impact the electoral dynamics in key swing states.