Harris excitement could trickle down Indiana ballot
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Indiana Democrats are seeing a surge of volunteers and donations driven by excitement for Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign.
The big picture: Harris isn't expected to win Indiana's electoral 11 votes in November, according to Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics.
- But that hasn't stopped dozens of new faces from turning up at campaign headquarters around the state looking to get involved.
Why it matters: Local organizers say that even if Indiana is still considered "Trump country," the enthusiasm around the Harris-Walz ticket could swing down-ballot races for Democrats around the state.
What they're saying: "We've had more calls from people wanting to volunteer, wanting merchandise, yard signs," Cheryl Schultz, chair of the Vanderburgh County Democrats, tells Axios. "I think there's an increase in hope and excitement, too."
- She's guided those volunteers to canvas for local candidates.
By the numbers: Democratic candidates for the Indiana House of Representatives saw an organizing boost in the week after President Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed Harris.
- Seth Rawlings, field director for the Indiana House Democratic Caucus, tells Axios House candidates saw a 30% increase in doors knocked and a 20% increase in small-dollar donations.
- The trend continued into the following week during a time typically known as the "dog days of the campaign season."
Zoom out: In the week following Harris' ascension, other states like Florida, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Michigan reported surges in volunteer recruitment.
- The campaign has also seen record-breaking fundraising and early polling bumps.
The bottom line: Schultz said the hope and excitement she's feeling now reminds her of Barack Obama's campaign in 2008, when he flipped Indiana and won the state.
- "Increasing voter turnout is the key to us being more successful this year," she said. "If you're going to vote for the Democrat at the top of the ticket, you're going to vote from them down the ballot, too."