Beyoncé endorses Kamala Harris at Houston rally
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Beyoncé and Vice President Kamala Harris drew thousands to Houston rally. Photo: F. Carter Smith/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Vice President Kamala Harris criticized Texas' abortion ban and was joined by Beyoncé to rally voters Friday night in Houston.
Why it matters: Texas probably isn't up for grabs in the presidential race, but Harris used the rally and Beyoncé's starpower to galvanize voters over abortion rights in a state where Democrats hope to gain a seat in the U.S. Senate.
Driving the news: Beyoncé, along with mother Tina Knowles and sister Kelly Rowland, endorsed Harris for president in a packed Shell Energy Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 22,000.
- The superstar's song "Freedom" has been the soundtrack to Harris' campaign since July.
- Willie Nelson, Jessica Alba and Houston OBGYN doctors also took the stage to support Harris.
Harris' remarks focused on maternal care and former President Trump's role in paving the way for abortion bans to proliferate. She also highlighted the experiences of several women whose lives were put at risk when they experienced severe pregnancy complications and were denied access to abortion, including the story of Texan Kate Cox.
- "You are ground zero in the fight for reproductive freedom … We know what's happening here in Texas, doctors and nurses could go to prison for life simply for providing reproductive care," Harris said.
- "Reproductive freedom is on the ballot this election," she said.
What they're saying: "I'm not here as a celebrity. I'm not here as a politician. I'm here as a mother," Beyoncé said. "Imagine our daughters growing up, seeing what's possible with no ceilings, no limitations."
- "We're all part of something much bigger. We must vote, and we need you. It's time to sing a new song."
The big picture: Harris was joined by Texas Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Colin Allred as Democrats invested $5 million on an abortion ad campaign to unseat U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz.
- Texas is home to the highest number of people who traveled out-of-state to receive an abortion since the state's six-week ban went into effect in 2021. That was followed a year later by a near-total ban.
The intrigue: Allred has been closing in on Cruz's lead in the latest polls.
The other side: Harris' Houston appearance — her third stop in the Bayou City since late July — came hours after Trump landed in Austin and spoke to about 100 people at a private airplane hangar ahead of a podcast taping with Joe Rogan.
What's next: Early voting continues through Nov. 1, with Election Day on Nov. 5.