CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Kamala Harris arrived early.

On Saturday, the vice president spoke just before 5 p.m., making one last appeal to voters in North Carolina before Election Day. All around, there were supporters holding various signs. Some were specific, like “Latinos for Harris” and “Republicans for Harris,” while others simply stated “USA” and “freedom.”

“I have experienced the promise of America, and I see that promise in all of you here today,” Harris told the audience at PNC Music Pavillion.

In my view, Harris symbolizes a hopeful future. Her ambitious policies and political beliefs resonate with me. I’m not alone in this sentiment; countless voters are eager to move past former President Donald Trump. Hearing Harris speak reaffirmed my resolve to support her with my vote.

Kamala Harris acknowledges my existence; Donald Trump seeks to marginalize women.

Now residing in a strongly Democratic state, I could have easily opted out of voting, but I still chose to support Harris.

The message from Trump, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, and the Republican Party is clear: their vision for America expects me to conform to their narrow standards. Vance’s demeaning comment about women like me being “childless cat ladies” haunts me, and it’s infuriating to hear Trump, who has been legally accused of sexual assault, claiming he wants to “protect women.”

In truth, only one party recognizes my full humanity.

My political beliefs are shaped by my identity as a woman, a queer individual, the granddaughter of immigrants, and a member of Gen Z. I cannot disentangle these aspects from my voting choices; they guide me in the ballot box.

In the final stages of this election, Trump has targeted trans individuals, framing them as a national threat. They are not. Trans people will exist regardless of Trump’s presidency.

Ensuring that the rights of my peers are protected leads me to believe that Harris is the only viable candidate.

Harris will safeguard my priorities and stand up for our rights

The primary reason for my support of Harris is her stance on reproductive rights. The overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 devastated me. I firmly believe in the right to govern my own body and make decisions about unintended pregnancies.

I am fortunate to reside in a blue state where abortion rights are still secure.

Yet many women of reproductive age, including those in North Carolina, are under oppressive abortion restrictions enacted after the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision.

Harris exceeds in other vital areas as well.

She has a strong record in combating gun violence, addressing climate change, and advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. She also supports legalizing recreational marijuana.

These issues are why she has my vote.

Harris’ economic framework surpasses Trump’s

My decision to vote for Harris goes beyond social issues; I’m also impressed by her economic policies.

Harris envisions an economy where everyone can flourish. She advocates for increasing housing availability and assisting first-time homebuyers with down payments. Additionally, she aims to eliminate corporate price gouging, lower drug costs, and support small businesses. These goals resonate with my belief in a fair America.

Harris has spent the past four years working in President Joe Biden’s administration, which has been recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to Biden’s leadership, the economy shows promising signs, including:

• Lower gas prices.
• Low unemployment rates.
• Inflation near the Federal Reserve’s goals.

We need to maintain and enhance this positive economic trajectory with Democratic policies.

In contrast, Trump proposes tariff policies that could financially burden middle-class Americans by over $2,600 annually. If you are concerned about sound economic strategies that aim to reshape our country In the aftermath of COVID, Harris stands as the only viable option.

The sole candidate genuinely invested in democracy

Harris, a former attorney and among the most competent presidential hopefuls in recent memory, is dedicated to safeguarding democracy in the United States.

In contrast, Trump is only concerned with his own interests.

The former president has repeatedly demonstrated that he is untrustworthy for the highest office in the nation. He led a violent incursion on the U.S. Capitol and has faced 34 felony charges for tampering with business records, with additional legal challenges still in the pipeline. His behavior has become increasingly erratic, including inappropriate actions during speeches and excessive dancing at rallies.

If you think Trump is a champion of democracy after all that has occurred, you’re deceiving yourself.

Kamala Harris may not be flawless, but she is the strongest candidate

I have my reservations about Harris. To be candid, I wish she embodied the “dangerously liberal” persona that the right often attributes to her.

As many other progressives do, I am horrified by the ongoing violence in Gaza, which has resulted in over 43,000 Palestinian deaths and more than 101,000 injuries. I have felt let down by the Democrats’ approach to the conflict and wish they would exert more pressure on Israel for a cease-fire.

This discord was palpable at the Charlotte rally, where demonstrators displayed a pro-Palestine banner before being escorted out of the venue.

“We all want the conflict in the Middle East to come to an end,” Harris remarked.

She is correct – and I hope that as president, she will take steps to resolve it.

Ultimately, she is the candidate with whom I most closely relate in terms of values. She fully understands what is at stake in this election. Even her less-than-satisfactory response to the violence in the Middle East is preferable to what Trump might propose if he regains power.

This sentiment was echoed during the rally.

“Even if your views don’t align with hers on every issue, Kamala Harris will stand up for you until the very end,” North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper told the audience.

As I exited the rally, I contemplated the kind of America I envision. I want an America where my loved ones feel secure, can thrive, and where truth prevails. That’s the America Harris is striving for. That’s why I voted for her.