Tim Walz’s visit to Macon wasn’t first time Democrats focused on Middle Georgia. Why?

Macon isn’t the first place one might expect to see a presidential campaign repeatedly visit to rally supporters.

Sure, it’s Georgia’s fourth largest city, but it’s much easier for a candidate to get national publicity in cities more likely to grab national attention such as Atlanta or Savannah.

So why did Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz visit supporters in Macon Tuesday, the second visit by the campaign this month?

Christopher Lawrence, political science department chair and professor at Middle Georgia State University, explained what he suspects is an internal strategy by the Harris-Walz campaign to reach the Middle Georgia market in a swing state that could be crucial for either Harris or former President Donald Trump to win the November election.

“There’s a broader kind of press to raise awareness here in Middle Georgia … because I suspect they think Georgia is going to be one of the states they need to win … so you’re seeing a laser focus on where they think they can maximize their bang for their buck,” Lawrence said.

Walz’s stop in Macon – where he spoke to voters at a local phone bank and greeted supporters at H&H Soul Food restaurant – was covered by local media, raising awareness of the campaign.

The Harris-Walz and Trump-Vance campaigns, like most presidential campaigns, have held rallies in cities where they know they’ll be supported. For example, Trump’s running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, held an event in Valdosta Aug. 23 – a city with more Republican voters than Macon.

“He figured South Georgia, a pretty widely accepted Republican area, would be a receptive area for him,” Lawrence said. “Bringing Walz here to Macon is no different.”

Local Democratic politicians recently held events in Macon to voice their support for Harris, and bring attention to Harris’ abortion and union stances.

This tactic could help display a positive atmosphere at their events, rather than visiting areas where they might anticipate non-supporters, protesters or counter-arguments, Lawrence added.

Though Walz did have protesters present at his events Tuesday — Trump supporters showed up outside both his appearances, holding signs and chanting.

“It’s definitely partially optics on what sort of crowd you’re going to attract,” Lawrence told The Telegraph.

The Harris-Walz campaign also recently stopped in areas which weren’t solely democratic during their bus tour along the east coast. This could be a way to rally undecided voters, or merely encourage people to show out to the polls, Lawrence suggested.

“The first thing you want to do is convert voters where you can, so independent voters, or those supporting the other party,” Lawrence said. “But a large part is mobilizing your base, the people who would be inclined to support your party but might not necessarily vote.”

Harris’ campaign didn’t respond to request for comment for this story.

This story was originally published September 18, 2024 at 8:17 AM.