Kamala Harris’ campaign has made a surprising financial shift just days before the 2024 Presidential Election. According to Media Buying and Analytics, she is pulling $1.7 million in advertising from key North Carolina markets. As the critical swing state prepares for its final campaign push, Harris’ sudden withdrawal of funds from Charlotte, Raleigh, and other major cities is raising questions about her strategy, and whether or not it represents a retreat from the state altogether.
Trump campaign manager Chris LaCivita quickly commented on the news, posting on X, “@KamalaHarris giving up on North Carolina..pulling money out.” LaCivita suggested that the reallocation might be aimed at shoring up support in Virginia, a neighboring state where recent polls have shown a dip in Harris’ numbers. The Trump campaign has wasted no time framing the decision as a concession of sorts, with LaCivita adding, “Maybe to drop in Virginia to try and stop the slide?”
According to reports from Media Buying and Analytics, Harris’ revised ad flight for October 29 to November 5 includes pulling advertising from the Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Greenville, Greenville-New Bern, Norfolk, and Wilmington markets. Among the hardest-hit markets is Charlotte, with $878,545 removed, followed by Raleigh at $558,076.
@KamalaHarris giving up on North Carolina..pulling money out. Maybe to drop in Virginia to try and stop the slide ? pic.twitter.com/oTcCAuTJYx
— Chris LaCivita (@LaCivitaC) October 29, 2024
Ad tracking company AdImpact reported the shift in the Harris-Walz presidential campaign’s ad spending strategy. Just one week before the election, the campaign has withdrawn millions in ad investments from key media markets across the state. This comes just as Harris prepares to visit Raleigh, the capital city and the sole North Carolina market where she currently outpaces her Republican opponent, according to The Carolina Journal.
#Election2024: Yesterday, the Kamala Harris campaign placed new #NCPol ad reservations totaling $2.7m for the final week of the election. This morning, the campaign is cutting from those NC reservations. So far today, we’ve seen over $2m removed from NC markets.
— AdImpact Politics (@AdImpact_Pol) October 29, 2024
The last time a Democratic presidential candidate won North Carolina was in 2008 when Barack Obama narrowly defeated John McCain. Obama’s victory was attributed to a strong turnout among young voters and African Americans, along with effective grassroots organizing and changing demographics in the state. For Kamala Harris, the outlook in North Carolina may be considered bleak for several reasons. Since 2008, North Carolina has generally trended Republican in presidential elections, with Republicans winning the state in 2012, 2016, and 2020. This trend can be partly attributed to strong Republican alignment among rural voters and white working-class voters.
Tonight, Harris will deliver a speech at the Ellipse, known for hosting former President Donald Trump’s rally on January 6, 2021, which occurred just before the Capitol breach. Meanwhile, Trump is scheduled to speak this morning at Mar-a-Lago, followed by an evening rally in Pennsylvania.
