Presidential campaigns often feature small businesses, such as record stores, diners, and machine shops, as backdrops to emphasize a candidate’s authenticity and hometown values. But this election cycle, those businesses are being taken a little more seriously.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who professes to be a capitalist in speeches and ads, is trying to inject an entrepreneurial spirit into her petite brand. His economic policy platform mentions “small businesses” 77 times, including items aimed at meeting the needs of business owners, such as relaxing licensing requirements and expanding federal contracts. .
It’s not hard to see why candidates lean toward Main Street. According to Gallup and Pew research, small businesses are collectively the most respected institutions in American life. Harris’ message may also help counter former President Donald J. Trump’s reputation as a successful businessman. Former President Trump continues to build economic credibility among voters despite numerous bankruptcies and occasional fraud.
Harris’ focus on small businesses is not entirely new. She also worked on the issue as vice president, visiting businesses and distributing billions of dollars in American Rescue Plan Act funding. She often speaks of her “second mother,” Regina Shelton, who ran a daycare center in Berkeley, Calif., as a small business owner and an integral part of the community.
“Kamala’s economic plan aims to help people like Mrs. Shelton so they have enough money in the bank to start a business or pass something on to their children. “We can do that,” said Felicia Wong, who runs the progressive advocacy group Roosevelt Forward.
