Kamala Harris Makes Surprising Campaign Trail Appearance in Tennessee

Former Vice President Kamala Harris made a surprising appearance on the campaign trail Tuesday, joining Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn of Tennessee, who is vying to replace retired Rep. Mark Green.

“Why am I in Tennessee? Because I know the power is in the South,” Harris said during the event in Nashville. She did not mention Behn by name, according to The New York Times, which first reported the appearance, but urged the crowd to get out the vote in two weeks.

“This election is 14 days from today!” Harris said.

The special election to replace Green is set for Dec. 6, and early voting has already started in the race between Behn and Republican nominee Matt Van Epps.

Harris’ appearance with Behn on Tuesday comes after President Donald Trump hosted a virtual rally for Epps last week after a request from his campaign.

Green’s departure narrowed the already slim margin between House Republicans and Democrats. Since Green’s departure, the House has 219 Republicans and 213 Democrats. (The death of Democratic Rep. Sylvester Turner leaves one vacant seat.)

Green announced his retirement in June, along with plans to rejoin the private sector.

Harris has largely stayed out of the spotlight since losing to Trump last November, though a recent spate of media appearances has thrust her back into the national eye. The former vice president has not ruled out another run herself, teasing another campaign for president last month.

“I am not done,” she told the BBC in early October. “I have lived my entire career as a life of service, and it’s in my bones.”