Harvard4Harris travels to Georgia, Maine to campaign ahead of the election

Dozens of Harvard for Harris students spent the weekend campaigning in Georgia and Maine during the final days of the 2024 presidential election.

Thirty-five students affiliated with H4H and Harvard College Democrats took a four-hour bus ride to campaign in Maine’s second congressional district, while ten other H4H volunteers flew to Georgia. The groups returned Monday morning after two full days of fishing and speaking to more than 750 households over the weekend.

H4H Vice President Elizabeth M. Benecchi ’25, who organized the trip to Georgia, said it felt impactful to “engage in a real conversation” with voters.

“I think recruiting is the absolute best way to get involved in the community,” Benecchi said. “We have hosted numerous phone banks. We’ve hosted text banks, and they’re great for talking to people over the phone, but it’s a lot easier to connect with voters in person.

Students on the trip to Georgia met with Rep. Ted W. Lieu (D-California) and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.

Lorenzo Z. Ruiz ’27, who went on the trip to Georgia, said one of his favorite moments of the weekend was talking with Lieu.

“We’re exhausted, and we go to this dinner with Ted Lieu who invited us earlier that day, and he sits down with us, and we have a conversation with him for at least a good half hour,” Ruiz, a Crimson Editorial- editor, said. “It was an experience I will never forget.”

The trips to Georgia and Maine are part of larger organized efforts by H4H to recruit swing states. Student volunteers have made trips to New Hampshire and Pennsylvania and plan to return to Pennsylvania next weekend and to New Hampshire on Election Day.

Ethan C. Kelly ’25, co-chair and founder of H4H, said one of the organization’s goals is to give students the opportunity to work on a presidential campaign.

“I think there’s a misconception that you can’t really be involved in organizing the presidential campaign because we live in a blue state, but I just don’t think that’s the case,” Kelly said. “I think overall we have ways to tap into different parts of the electorate and student groups on campus.”

Benecchi said returning to her home state of Georgia made the trip extra meaningful, adding that she voted with her family during the trip.

“To be able to say I went to elementary school down the street and knock on the door for someone I hope to elect to my own school board — that was so special,” she said.

Kelly said their efforts are increasing as the election approaches.

“I think people are really hoping to maximize the impact they can have on the election this close to Election Day,” Kelly said.