As the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaches, concerns have surfaced about the support Democratic nominee Kamala Harris is receiving from male voters. While her campaign has made strides with women and minority groups, questions linger over whether some men are hesitant to vote for her simply because she is a woman.
Vice President Harris, who rarely addresses her gender on the campaign trail, is seeing her key supporters taking a more direct approach in appealing to male voters. With Election Day looming, they hope to break through deep-seated biases, sexism, or apathy that may be affecting her support base.
Former President Barack Obama, speaking candidly, aimed to address Black men specifically, acknowledging that some may struggle with the idea of a woman in the highest office. “You just aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president,” Obama said during a campaign stop in Pittsburgh. “You’re thinking about sitting out, or supporting somebody who has a history of denigrating you, because you think that’s a sign of strength… Putting women down? That’s not acceptable.”
The Harris campaign is focusing on reaching male voters through various channels. Actor Ed O’Neill, known for his role in Modern Family, has lent his voice to a campaign ad urging men to step up and support a female leader. In the ad, he says, “Be a man: Vote for a woman.” Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, has spearheaded an initiative called “Hombres con Harris,” aimed at energizing Hispanic male voters.
Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American Women in Politics at Rutgers University, commented on Harris’ strategy, stating that while the vice president cannot directly address the gender issue without alienating voters, outside validators like Obama and O’Neill are essential to moving the conversation forward. “I don’t think she can get up and say, ‘Shame on you,’” Walsh noted. “It’s sad, but I think she needs these outside validators.”
Despite the efforts of her campaign, Harris continues to face resistance. Some men, particularly younger Black men, are reluctant to back her. Keith Edmondson, a 63-year-old Black retiree from Arizona, expressed concerns about the demographic, sharing that even his own son is a supporter of Harris’ Republican opponent, Donald Trump. “There are more Black folks supporting Donald Trump than I thought,” Edmondson said, attributing this to misinformation surrounding Harris’ tenure as a prosecutor.
Trump, who has frequently belittled women in the public eye, has continued to take aim at Harris. During a rally in Pennsylvania, the former president criticized her as “a dumb person” and made dismissive comments about the women on The View, a television program where Harris recently appeared.
To counter these attacks, Harris’ campaign has targeted key male demographics, launching efforts to appeal to men across various platforms. Harris recently appeared on the cover of Vogue and taped an interview for the popular podcast Call Her Daddy, primarily aimed at younger women. At the same time, the campaign has planned upcoming appearances on male-skewing media, including a town hall with Charlamagne tha God, a popular radio personality.
Despite these efforts, Harris’ team remains concerned about Trump’s appeal to men across racial and age groups. Polls suggest that Harris struggles to garner the same level of support from men as she does from women. For example, while Hispanic women are more likely to view Harris favorably, Hispanic men remain divided on both her and Trump.
The Harris campaign’s challenge lies in countering Trump’s ability to connect with male voters through “bro” culture, which has resonated particularly with younger men. To combat this, Governor Walz has helped launch initiatives such as livestreaming campaign events on Twitch, a platform popular among male gamers.
As Harris continues her push toward Election Day, the campaign’s efforts to sway male voters remain critical to securing a potential victory. With a focus on breaking down gender barriers and addressing key issues like the economy, Harris and her team are doubling down in the final weeks of the race.
