Drag performers took center stage at a campaign event for Kamala Harris in Las Vegas, known as “the gayest destination” on the Vegas Strip. The event, held at the Queen Bar Las Vegas, attracted around 100 supporters who gathered for bingo in honor of the vice president. The MC for the event was Angel, a drag performer, who emphasized the importance of drag queens as voices of the LGBTQ+ community. Angel expressed hope for Democrats retaining the White House, citing the overwhelming support that came in after Harris announced her presidential bid.
While the event was filled with enthusiasm and entertainment, the reality of the polling gap between Harris and Trump loomed in the background. Decision Desk HQ revealed a difference of up to 9 points in favor of Trump in this crucial swing state. RealClearPolling’s average of battleground polls on July 21 also showed Trump ahead by 5.6 points in Nevada. Despite these numbers, Rep. Maxwell Frost, a national Harris campaign surrogate, remained confident in the campaign’s ability to inspire voter turnout.
During his speech at the event, Frost criticized the leadership in his home state of Florida, particularly GOP Governor Ron DeSantis. He condemned the blame placed on marginalized communities for the state’s problems, including immigrants, black people, and the queer community. Frost argued that true patriotism lies in loving all the people who live in the country, and he praised the LGBTQ+ community for their resilience and love in the face of adversity. He urged the crowd to use every tool at their disposal to reject fascism and elect Kamala Harris.
Despite the polling numbers favoring Trump in Nevada, supporters like Chris Miller, a local real-estate agent, expressed confidence in Harris’s victory. Miller acknowledged the difficulty of obtaining accurate polling data from Nevada’s rural areas and questioned the reliability of polls in general. He praised Harris for her no-nonsense approach to government and believed that her determination would lead her to triumph in Nevada.
Overall, the campaign event showcased the support and energy behind Kamala Harris in Nevada, despite the challenges posed by the polling numbers. The drag performers added a vibrant and inclusive touch to the event, representing the voices of the LGBTQ+ community. While the outcome of the election remains uncertain, the enthusiasm and determination of the attendees and campaign surrogates like Rep. Maxwell Frost demonstrate a strong belief in Harris’s ability to secure victory in this battleground state.
