BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Days after Democrats officially make Vice President Kamala Harris their presidential nominee, Lehigh Valley Democrats will meet to rally behind the ticket as the 2024 campaign kicks into high gear.
The Unity Rally for Democracy will take place at the Steelworkers Union Hall on E. Lehigh Street at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26.
A list of speakers was not yet available.
According to a flier released by organizer Esther Lee, the rally is supported by the Bethlehem Democratic Committee, the Lehigh County Democratic Committee, Lehigh Valley 4 All, Nazareth Area Pride, the Northampton County Democratic Committee, the Pennsylvania Democratic State Black Caucus, the Southern Lehigh Democratic Committee and the Upper Lehigh Democratic Club and other organizations.
The event will try to build momentum for party candidates following a historic month of upheaval in the party.
After a disastrous debate performance against former President Donald Trump, President Joe Biden announced last month he is abandoning his re-election campaign.
Since then, Harris has rallied the party around her, and she this week is expected to formally get the party's nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Still a close race
While poll numbers still anticipate a competitive election this November, recent polls have put her narrowly ahead of Trump, compared with Biden narrowly trailing Trump.
The Lehigh Valley may be among the few locations in the country were grassroots organization can carry national consequences.
Political observers are expecting a close presidential race, and the battleground of Pennsylvania could determine the winner.
The Lehigh Valley, particularly Northampton County, have proven to be bellwethers for the state over the past 100 years.
As a result, candidates and their proxies have found reasons to visit the region. Biden visited Emmaus and Allentown in January while Trump held a rally in Schnecksville in April.
Harris has not visited the region since becoming the presumed nominee, though she did hold a rally in Bethlehem Township days ahead of the November 2020 election.
