Vice President Kamala Harris headlines APIAVote’s Presidential Town Hall

FILE – Vice President Kamala Harris takes a photo with Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, left, and others, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, May 17, 2022, during a reception to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign is launching its formal outreach campaign to Asian-American voters, putting Vice President Kamala Harris at the forefront of the effort with events in Nevada and Pennsylvania this week. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

Vice President Kamala Harris will deliver a keynote speech at the APIAVote 2024 Presidential Town Hall today, July 13, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.

Several news organizations reported July 11 that President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign is polling voters to test the viability of Harris replacing him at the top of the ticket. Biden is facing a growing chorus of voices to step down, after a disastrous debate night June 27.

Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump’s campaign may send a surrogate, according to organizers. Approximately 108 elected officials are expected to attend the event, including Rep. Judy Chu, chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, and Rep. Ted Lieu, predicted by many to serve as the next House speaker. Chu and Lieu are Democrats from California.

“This really highlights the power of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander vote,” Christine Chen, executive director of APIAVote said at a press briefing. The organization has conducted similar forums every Presidential election year since 2008. In previous years, Presidential hopefuls Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden have all attended the Town Hall in past years.

Chen said she expects at least 1100 people in attendance, from across the country.

Recent data from the APIA Voter Survey indicates a 10% increase in voter turnout in 2020. As well, there has been a dramatic rise of first-time voters. “We can be the margin of victory for candidates who choose to engage with our communities,” said Chen.

APIAVote is organizing watch parties across the country. The event can also be viewed on the organization’s YouTube page.

The Presidential Town Hall caps off the two day AAPI National Leadership Summit, July 11-12, at the Philadelphia Sheraton. (Ethnic Media Services)