Biden-Harris campaign hires director of Black media to better reach Black voters. This strategic move emphasizes the campaign’s early commitment to engaging and mobilizing Black voters. The campaign had already invested millions in early ad buys targeting Black communities, showcasing its proactive approach 13 months ahead of the November 5 Election Day.
“Our campaign is going to win in 2024 by mobilizing the diverse Biden-Harris coalition that sent Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to the White House in 2020 – and Black voters are a critical part of that winning coalition,” Quentin Fulks, principal deputy campaign manager, said in a statement.
Quentin Fulks, principal deputy campaign manager, highlighted the importance of the diverse Biden-Harris coalition and emphasized the critical role of Black voters in their winning strategy. Fulks mentioned the campaign’s substantial investment in Black media and on-the-ground organizing since August of the previous year.
Jasmine Harris, with experience as the director of African-American media for Senate Majority Leader Schumer, expressed her gratitude to work with the Biden-Harris campaign. She stressed the importance of Black reporters and outlets having a seat at the table, especially during such crucial elections.
During her time with Schumer’s office, Harris advocated for increased access for Black reporters and national Black media outlets on Capitol Hill. She served as a liaison between the majority leader’s office and digital staffers within the Senate Democratic Caucus. Harris previously worked as the digital media director for the Democratic caucus of the Michigan House of Representatives, focusing on digital communications and social media.
Joel Payne, a Democratic strategist who served on Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign, commended the Biden-Harris campaign’s decision to hire a director of Black media.
Payne stated that such investments in experienced staff dedicated to core constituencies demonstrate the campaign’s understanding of what it takes to maintain their coalition for the 2024 election.
While acknowledging polling that shows Black voters may not be particularly enthusiastic about supporting a second term for the Biden-Harris administration, campaign officials and Democratic strategists remain confident. They believe that as Election Day approaches and Biden and Harris actively engage with Black voters, enthusiasm will increase.
Jaime Harrison, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, highlighted Biden’s achievements for Black communities, including student debt relief, stimulus funding during the pandemic, criminal justice reform, and historic appointments of Black judges.
The appointment of Jasmine Harris as the director of Black media for the Biden-Harris 2024 reelection campaign underscores the campaign’s early and dedicated outreach to Black voters. The strategic investment in Black media and on-the-ground organizing reflects a proactive approach to mobilizing the diverse coalition that contributed to Biden and Harris’s victory in 2020.
As the campaign progresses, the role of Black media in shaping outreach and engagement strategies will be a key factor in the broader political landscape. The campaign remains optimistic about gaining support from Black voters by highlighting the administration’s accomplishments and engaging directly with the community.
