President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign and the state Democratic Party are looking to boost their standing in Lancaster County with a new coordinated campaign headquarters.
Located within the established county Democrats’ office on North Duke Street, the combined office is meant to spur voter turnout in the county for Biden and other Democratic candidates in November’s general election. Staff will offer recruitment and training events for campaign volunteers and serve as a headquarters for the party’s canvassing efforts.
“We’re investing early in Lancaster County because we know how critical this region will be to reelecting President Biden and Vice President Harris in 2024,” said Nikki Lu, Biden’s Pennsylvania campaign manager, in a statement. “To protect our jobs, our freedoms, and our democracy, we need to work together to re-elect President Biden.”
On Thursday night, some of Lancaster County’s most prominent Democrats — including state Reps. Izzy Smith-Wade-El and Mike Sturla, Lancaster city Mayor Danene Sorace and Lancaster County Commissioner Alice Yoder — packed into the basement of the county party’s headquarters, colloquially called “The Underground,” with some new state House candidates and campaign volunteers to celebrate the announcement.
“We have always been the state that protects American freedom, American independence and democracy,” state Rep. Izzy Smith-Wade-El said. “And in 2024, with your help, we will be that state again.”
Lancaster’s office is one of 14 statewide, including ones in York and Chester counties, that the Biden campaign plans to open by week’s end. According to a news release, campaign staff will focus on rallying students, first-time voters, Black voters, Latino voters, suburban voters, union households and urban voters. The timing of their opening is meant to build upon the recent launches of the Women for Biden-Harris and Latinos con Biden-Harris programs, as well as Biden’s recent endorsement from the United Steelworkers.
The office’s opening marks the first time a Democratic presidential candidate has organized a headquarters in Lancaster County since Hillary Clinton’s campaign operated an office on E. King St. in 2016 during her failed bid for president.
The campaign for the presumptive Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Recent polls show that Pennsylvania, with 19 electoral votes, will likely be a toss-up between Biden and Trump come November. Franklin & Marshall College’s February poll showed Biden barely leading Trump, 43% to 42%, among Pennsylvania’s registered voters.
But Biden and other Democrats face an uphill battle in winning over Lancaster County’s overwhelming majority of Republican registered voters. The GOP boasts about 169,000 registered voters, Democrats hold 102,000, and 52,000 aren’t affiliated with either party, according to the Department of State’s voter registration data.
In 2020, then-President Trump beat Biden in Lancaster County with 160,000 votes, compared to Biden’s 116,000. Still, Biden narrowly won Pennsylvania by about 80,000 votes.
“The enthusiasm around President Biden and the Democratic ticket in Lancaster is growing every day,” said Stella Sexton, the vice chair of the Lancaster County Democratic Committee, in a statement. “The choice couldn’t be clearer, and we are so excited to flip Lancaster for Joe Biden this November.”
