Former Vice President Kamala Harris attended a rally held by the Tennessee Democratic Party Tuesday at Nashville's Hadley Park.
Several hundred attendees were present at the rally, which took place hours before Harris' scheduled appearance at the Ryman Auditorium as part of her nationwide book tour. Also present at the event were state Reps. Harold Love, Aftyn Behn and John Ray Clemmons, as well as state Sen. Charlane Oliver, Metro Councilmember Delishia Porterfield and several other elected officials.
Behn targeting seat to make Democratic gains in Congress as Van Epps draws Trump support
Harris was introduced by state Rep. Justin Jones, who referred to her as "my auntie, Madam Vice President," to smiles from Harris and cheers from the crowd.
"People around the nation are watching you," Harris said of the Dec. 2 special election to fill Tennessee's 7th Congressional District seat. "There are people you will never meet, who may never know your name, but because of your activism, because of what you will do over the next two weeks, as a marker of what you will continue to do, will have an impact on so many people around the country."
TNDP Chair Rachel Campbell told the Scene that the rally shows there is an "appetite for change" in Tennessee. "We're going to keep bringing Democrats to talk to the people because the Democrats know what's up," Campbell said. "We're not afraid to talk to Tennesseans."
"Why am I here in Tennessee?" Harris asked the crowd. "Because I know the power is in the South."
Early voting is currently open in the 7th District special election, in which Democrat Behn faces heavily favored Republican Matt Van Epps.
See footage from Harris' appearance below.
