Why Harris is taking her campaign to a state she won’t win: TexasIE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.Skip to ContentMSNBC LogoLatestRachel MaddowMorning JoeInside with Jen PsakiDeadline: Legal BlogRACHEL MADDOW PRESENTS: ULTRATrump on Trial The ReidOut BlogTrump Documents LibraryColumnistsMSNBC FilmsTrump Transition Share this —SearchSearchFeatured ShowsThe Rachel Maddow ShowMondays 9PM ETMorning JoeWeekdays 6am ETDeadline: White House with Nicolle WallaceWeekdays 4PM ETThe Beat with Ari MelberWeeknights 6PM ETThe ReidOut with Joy ReidWeeknights 7PM ETAll In with Chris HayesTUESDAY-FRIDAY 8PM ETThe Last Word with Lawrence O’DonnellWeeknights 10PM ETThe 11th Hour with Stephanie RuhleWeeknights 11PM ETAlex Wagner TonightTuesday-Friday 9PM ETMSNBC TVWatch LiveListen LiveMoreMSNBC Live EventsMSNBC on PeacockMSNBC ColumnistsTV ScheduleMSNBC NewslettersPodcastsTranscriptsMSNBC Insights CommunityMSNBC StoreHelpTrump Trials Documents LibraryFollow msnbcMore BrandsToday LogoNBC News LogoMore ShowsWay Too EarlyAna Cabrera ReportsJosé Díaz-Balart ReportsChris Jansing ReportsKaty Tur ReportsSymoneThe Katie Phang ShowVelshiInside with Jen PsakiWeekends with Jonathan CapehartAlex Witt ReportsPoliticsNationAymanSearchSearchFacebookTwitterEmailSMSPrintWhatsappRedditPocketFlipboardPinterestLinkedinMaddowBlogFrom The Rachel Maddow ShowALL MADDOWBLOG POSTSTHE RACHEL MADDOW SHOWFULL EPISODESPODCASTSRACHEL ON BLUESKYPrevious PostNext PostWhy Harris is taking her campaign to a state she won’t win: TexasKamala Harris will campaign in the Lone Star State, not because she expects to win Texas, but because she wants to shine a light on Texas’ abortion ban.By Steve BenenAs Election Day 2024 nears, campaign observers are watching the major party presidential nominees, their running mates and their surrogates crisscross the nation, holding events in battleground states. The strategy is rooted in common sense: The race will likely be decided by voters in seven states, which is why the candidates and parties are so heavily focused on turning out their supporters in those states.Texas, however, is not one of those states.To be sure, recent polling suggests Donald Trump is leading Kamala Harris in the Lone Star State by roughly seven points, which is relatively competitive when compared to other reliably red states, but few sincerely believe that the Democratic ticket will win Texas’ 40 electoral votes.So why is the Democratic vice president headed to the state with 11 days remaining before Election Day? Because of Texas’ significance in the larger national conversation about abortion rights and reproductive health care. NBC News reported:Harris is scheduled to deliver a marquee address on reproductive freedom tonight in Houston, where she will be joined by women and men who have faced the consequences of state-level abortion bans since the fall of Roe v. Wade. ... Pop superstar Beyoncé is expected to perform at the event, too, according to a source familiar with the plans.A Politico report added this week, “If you’re wondering why Harris would spend time in Texas — a state that hasn’t gone for a Democrat in a presidential election since 1976 — less than two weeks from Election Day, think less about the location and more about the national message.”Quite right. This is about shining a light on one of the year’s most important issues, while reminding the nation about the consequences of Trump’s success in overturning Roe v. Wade and allowing Republican officials in multiple states to impose brutal restrictions. The New York Times added, “In short, the Harris team wants to put what happens deep in the heart of Texas on display for the whole country to see.”Indeed, ahead of Harris’ event, the Democratic campaign unveiled a television ad focused on a Texas family that’s suffered as a direct result of a GOP-imposed abortion ban.This will soon be followed by another new ad — titled “He Did It” — that will focus on Trump taking responsibility for the end of federal abortion protections.What’s more, the vice president will be joined at the Houston rally by, among many others, Amanda and Josh Zurawski, whose tragic experiences have been an important part of the Democratic Party’s messaging for months.Harris will also be joined by Democratic Rep. Colin Allred, a former NFL star running a competitive campaign against Republican Sen. Ted Cruz. Watch this space.Steve BenenSteve Benen is a producer for "The Rachel Maddow Show," the editor of MaddowBlog and an MSNBC political contributor. He's also the bestselling author of "Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans' War on the Recent Past."Previous PostTrump’s alleged pro-Hitler comments take the spotlight as Election Day nearsNext PostWhy Trump’s lies about trying to prosecute Hillary Clinton matterLatest PostYoungkin fails to stand up to Trump as federal cuts threaten thousands in VirginiaAboutContactHelpCareersMSNBC StoreAD ChoicesPrivacy PolicyDo Not Sell My Personal InformationCA NoticeTerms of Service (Updated JULY 7, 2023)MSNBC SitemapClosed CaptioningAdvertiseJoin the MSNBC Community© 2025 MSNBC Cable, L.L.C.NBC News LogoMSNBC LogoToday Logo
This is the best tl;dr I could make, [original](https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/harris-taking-campaign-state-wont-win-texas-rcna177246?icid=nextpost_top) reduced by 73%. (I'm a bot)
*****
> To be sure, recent polling suggests Donald Trump is leading Kamala Harris in the Lone Star State by roughly seven points, which is relatively competitive when compared to other reliably red states, but few sincerely believe that the Democratic ticket will win Texas&#039; 40 electoral votes.

> A Politico report added this week, &quot;If you&#039;re wondering why Harris would spend time in Texas - a state that hasn&#039;t gone for a Democrat in a presidential election since 1976 - less than two weeks from Election Day, think less about the location and more about the national message."

> Ahead of Harris&#039; event, the Democratic campaign unveiled a television ad focused on a Texas family that&#039;s suffered as a direct result of a GOP-imposed abortion ban.


*****
[**Extended Summary**](http://np.reddit.com/r/autotldr/comments/1gbvvuz/why_harris_is_taking_her_campaign_to_a_state_she/) | [FAQ](http://np.reddit.com/r/autotldr/comments/31b9fm/faq_autotldr_bot/ "Version 2.02, ~695532 tl;drs so far.") | [Feedback](http://np.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%23autotldr "PM's and comments are monitored, constructive feedback is welcome.") | *Top* *keywords*: **State**^#1 **Harris**^#2 **Texas**^#3 **Democratic**^#4 **Election**^#5