On a warm Sunday morning in September, the historic Mt. Lebanon AME Zion Church in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, came alive not only with the sounds of gospel music and prayer but also with political urgency. Pastor Javan Leach warned the congregation of the critical importance of their participation in the upcoming elections, likening inaction to a vote for the other side. His message resonated deeply with rural Black voters in Pasquotank County, a rare Democratic stronghold along North Carolina’s northeastern coast.
This region, along with other rural areas, once played a key role in securing North Carolina for Barack Obama in 2008. But in recent years, support for Democrats has dwindled. By 2020, Joe Biden won Pasquotank County by just 62 votes, a dangerously slim margin. Across the state, Donald Trump beat Biden by 1.3%, turning North Carolina into a critical battleground for Democrats as they seek to flip it in the next election.
With razor-thin margins in battleground states like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan, Kamala Harris’s campaign must not only energize urban Democratic strongholds but also engage voters deep in Trump territory. To that end, Democrats are taking bold steps, setting up campaign offices in traditionally Republican rural areas like Onslow County, where Trump won by 30% in 2020. Anderson Clayton, chairwoman of North Carolina’s Democratic Party, encouraged local Democrats at a recent event, urging them not to shy away from their political identity. “We don’t have to be afraid to be Democrats in rural communities,” she said, underscoring the party’s effort to grow its base in unlikely places.
However, challenges persist. Hurricane Helene recently ravaged parts of North Carolina, complicating ground operations for both parties. In Buncombe County, Democratic strongholds like Asheville are still grappling with power outages, lack of clean water, and limited access to basic services. Kathie Kline, chair of the county’s Democratic Party, admitted the disaster could hurt turnout, a crucial factor in close elections.
Despite these obstacles, both parties recognize North Carolina’s pivotal role in the 2024 election. For Republicans, it is a must-win state. “It’s very hard for us to win unless we’re able to get North Carolina,” JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, said recently. Local Republican volunteers are ramping up canvassing efforts, knocking on doors and engaging with Hispanic voters who may feel overlooked by the Democrats.
At the heart of the Democrats’ campaign is the belief that small gains in unexpected areas could make all the difference. As Pastor Leach reminded his congregation, voting is a powerful tool to prevent the country from “going back 40, 50, 60 years.” His words struck a chord with many, including 85-year-old William Overton, who is determined to vote for Harris, driven by concerns over abortion rights and personal experiences from decades ago.
Yet, there remains a lingering uncertainty among some voters. Justin Herman, a 25-year-old member of Mt. Lebanon, admitted that while he voted for Biden in 2020, he feels disconnected from both Harris and Trump in this election. His hesitation speaks to a larger challenge for Democrats—motivating undecided voters in an era of political polarization.
With the stakes as high as ever, both parties are preparing for a fierce fight for North Carolina. The state, once reliably red, is now in play, and Democrats are betting that their investment in rural outreach will yield results in what could be the most closely watched race of 2024.