Kamala Harris Concludes Campaign with Star-Studded Rally in Philadelphia

Vice President Kamala Harris made a powerful final pitch for the White House in a grand rally held on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, drawing a crowd of tens of thousands despite the chilly 50-degree weather. The event, which took place near midnight on the eve of the election, was part of a broader campaign strategy to mobilize voters in key battleground states.

The rally featured a star-studded lineup, including performances by Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, and Oprah Winfrey. Former Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am performed Harris’ walk-up song, “YES SHE CAN,” setting the tone for an energetic and hopeful evening. DJ Cassidy, who also MC’d the delegate count at the Democratic National Convention, hosted the event, which included live speeches and performances interspersed with live feeds from satellite events across the country.

Harris used the platform to emphasize critical issues, including the restoration of women’s reproductive rights and her vision for an “opportunity economy.” She highlighted key components of her economic plan, such as a $25,000 down payment assistance program for first-time home buyers, a $6,000 child tax credit, and $20,000 in forgivable loans for startup small businesses. Harris also underscored the significance of the election, framing it as a choice between moving forward with unity and progress or succumbing to division and fear.

The Philadelphia rally was one of several simultaneous events held in seven battleground states, including Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, and North Carolina. These events were livestreamed to create a national get-out-the-vote effort, with VIP seating offered to volunteers who had participated in phone banking or door-knocking shifts. Other notable performers at these events included Katy Perry in Pittsburgh, Jon Bon Jovi in Milwaukee, and Christina Aguilera in Las Vegas.

Harris’ campaign has maintained a strong presence in Pennsylvania, with 50 satellite offices, over 450 staff members, and tens of thousands of volunteers. Despite this, the polls in the state remain tight, reflecting the intense competition in the final days of the campaign. Harris’ speech in Philadelphia was met with enthusiasm and optimism from the crowd, though there was also a palpable sense of anxiety about the election’s outcome.

The event capped off a day of intense campaigning by both Harris and her opponent, former President Donald Trump, in Pennsylvania. Harris made multiple stops, including a surprise visit to the Old San Juan Cafe in Reading, a city with a significant Latino population, in response to a recent controversy involving Trump’s campaign. Her husband, Doug Emhoff, also joined her at the Philadelphia rally after attending a separate event in Pittsburgh.