White dudes, Swifties and nerds: Pro-Harris groups build unity out of identity

From geeks to headbangers, and from white dudes to Swifties, a wide array of grassroots groups are sharing a common goal: electing Vice President Harris. 

Since President Biden exited the White House race and endorsed Harris less than two months ago, oodles of demographic-based groups have popped up with the aim of mobilizing voters and raising mountains of campaign cash.

Many organizers credit the "Win With Black Women" call for getting the ball rolling and igniting the virtual fundraiser trend. The July event drew more than 40,000 participants. 

Since then, countless other calls have been organized from a dizzying number of groups, including "White Dudes for Harris," "Cat Ladies for Kamala" and "Comics for Harris."

Former New York Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) attributes the boom of identity-based calls to a pent-up passion among voters. 

"When Kamala Harris emerged, there was a sort of extraordinary explosion of energy, and most campaigns can only sort of absorb so much. There's only so many ways to donate or volunteer. This is a new way for people to engage," de Blasio told ITK. 

There's a "generalized desire for community that's kind of pervading much of American life now," he added. "As community has degenerated, some of its traditional forms, people are looking for new forms."

De Blasio helped coordinate "Paisans for Kamala" earlier this month, which brought together Robert De Niro, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and other Italian American "celebrities and political leaders to discuss the importance of the 2024 election while sharing family recipes and cultural traditions."

In addition to "people appreciating when their political values can fit with a community," de Blasio said, "It's just a lot of fun. I think unfortunately a lot of traditional politics became kind of stayed and and uninteresting and a lot of people dropped out for that reason. I think doing things that are more fun and spontaneous is another way to get people reengaged."

Long before Taylor Swift herself endorsed Harris in a post-presidential debate social media post, Swifties for Kamala had sprung into action: 35,000 of them helped raise $130,000 during the course of a fundraising call.

"For Swifties and for all these other groups, it's the definition of meeting people where they are, and then being able to have an entry point," said April Glick Pulito, the political director for Swifties for Kamala. 

The group has described itself as a "coalition of Taylor Swift fans committed to protecting the United States of America's historical democracy by working together" to ensure a Harris win. 

"Oftentimes in election years, people kind of parachute into communities and tell people how they believe it should be. And that's not always as effective as we wish it was," Glick Pulito said. 

"Politics can feel like a barrier for a lot of people," added Glick Pulito, a communications coordinator for Citizen Action of New York.

"Instead of just like, 'Go out there and volunteer,' more people who are willing to get involved because it just feels like more natural to them."

On Thursday, White Dudes for Harris unveiled a $10 million ad buy targeting its demographic in the key swings states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan. The minute-plus video acknowledges former President Trump's firm grip on the white male voting bloc, but says Harris and vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz "are actually talking to guys like us."

“For far too long, Donald Trump has been able to fill the minds of a lot of white men in this country with lies, and we’ve learned in the past few months since launching White Dudes for Harris that there is a real hunger out there for an alternative,” group founder Ross Morales Rocketto said in a statement.

And more virtual meetups in Harris’s name are coming.

Metal, hardcore and punk music fans rocked a "Headbangers for Harris" fundraiser on Tuesday, headlined by Testament lead guitarist Alex Skolnick. 

A "Geeks and Nerds for Harris" event, hosted by "Wonder Woman" star Lynda Carter, is planned for next week.

"We have a very eclectic and diverse group of fandoms joining us," said Sabrina Cartan, who co-created the Sep. 24 event with Carter. Some of the geeky highlights will include a "Star Trek" reunion and remarks from a group of former NASA astronauts.

"[Political commentator] Elie Mystal will be dressed as Gandalf, doing a little bit of analysis on how the Supreme Court is a lot like the Council of Elrond from 'Lord of the Rings,'" Cartan said. 

"I think what's so funny and interesting about this is how many different groups of people we've gotten involved because it's a very inclusive affinity group. It's not based on one particular identity. It's really more about what you love than who you are," Cartan added, saying organizers are expecting upwards of 100,000 people to attend.

On Thursday evening, Harris herself will tip her hat to the chorus of convening grassroots groups — she's poised to join Oprah Winfrey at "Unite for America." The livestreamed gathering will bring together Win with Black Women and more than 140 pro-Harris groups. 

Organizers of the get-togethers say they're not concerned by potential criticism that mobilizing voters by demographic could actually create more division, rather than unity.

"We can be really proud of our identity and use it to fuel our commitment into the country we all love," de Blasio said. 

The "Geeks and Nerds" event, Cartan said, is "incredibly inclusive."

"It's not dividing anyone, unless you're a bully — unless you think you're too cool to be a geek. And anyone can be a geek," Cartan said. 

After the success of the flood of pro-Harris events, Swfities for Harris's Glick Pulito said bringing together specific identity-based groups for splashy online fundraisers could be the future of political campaigning.

"If we win — absolutely, Swifties for Kamala will be doing a 'Taylor's version' in 2028. We'll definitely turn out for whatever we got to do."