In the wake of Hurricane Helene‘s devastating impact on the southeastern United States, a prominent Democratic strategist issued a warning to Vice President Kamala Harris, emphasizing the political significance of disaster response in the lead-up to the upcoming election.
Speaking on CNN‘s News Central, Megan Hays stressed the importance of visual imagery and on-the-ground presence during natural disasters.
“People remember the visual here. People are going to remember he is on the ground,” Hays said, referring to former President Donald Trump’s visit to storm-ravaged Valdosta, Georgia on Monday. “And in an election, that’s going to be won on the margins….People are going to remember.”
Flanked by labor union leaders, Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to union workers during a campaign event on September 2 at Northwestern High School in Detroit. Harris was warned by a Democratic strategist about not visiting Hurricane Helene-impacted areas.
Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in Florida late last Thursday before moving into Georgia and affecting several other Southeast states, has left a trail of destruction and more than 100 deaths in its wake.
Trump’s swift response to the disaster, including his visit to Valdosta, has put pressure on the Biden administration to demonstrate its commitment to affected communities. During his visit, Trump posted a video clip on his Truth Social platform, saying: “We came down with truckloads of different items, from oil to water. We’re here today to stand with complete solidarity with the people of Georgia and all those suffering in the terrible aftermath of Hurricane Helene.”
The former president’s campaign announced plans for Trump to speak outside a destroyed furniture store, receive a briefing on the hurricane’s impact, and assist in distributing relief supplies.
Meanwhile, Harris has faced criticism for her initial absence from the affected areas. She was campaigning in Las Vegas over the weekend but cut her trip short to return to Washington, D.C., where she participated in briefings at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) headquarters.
Trump reposted a screenshot on Truth Social of Harris on Air Force One after being briefed on Helene’s destruction. He criticized the photo as “FAKE and STAGED,” claiming Harris “has no clue what she is doing.” Trump went on to accuse the Biden administration of abandoning Americans in various crises, including the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
Newsweek contacted the Trump and Harris campaigns via email on Monday for comment.
The political implications of disaster response are significant, particularly given the proximity of the election, which is 36 days away. Several of the states affected by Hurricane Helene are considered battleground states, adding further weight to the candidates’ actions in the aftermath of the disaster.
Recent polling data suggests a tightly contested race in Georgia between Trump and Harris. An AtlasIntel poll released Monday showed Trump with a slight edge in the state, 49.6 percent to 49 percent. The lead extends to several other battlegrounds, including Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, with Harris leading in two others.
However, the Georgia race has been notably fluid. An analysis by 538 showed that Trump and Harris have held narrow leads at various points since August 1, with many surveys placing them within 1 percentage point of each other.
Harris has shown strength among specific demographic groups in Georgia, including a substantial lead among Black voters and an advantage with Latino voters. Her campaign presence in the state has been notable, with three visits since becoming the nominee: her inaugural campaign event on July 30, a bus tour in Savannah on August 28 and a rally on September 20.
Trump’s campaign has also maintained a visible presence in Georgia. The former president held a rally in Savannah less than a week ago, while his running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, made appearances in the state on September 16 and in Valdosta on August 22.
The Biden administration has said that President Joe Biden and Harris plan to visit the affected region as soon as it is possible without disrupting ongoing emergency response operations.
An official said that Harris has been actively engaged in the disaster response, speaking with governors of affected states and participating in briefings on the federal storm response.
