Raymond Buckley, chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, shared his enthusiasm for Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign during a press conference on July 24 in Nashua. Telegraph photo by Christopher Roberson

NASHUA – As Vice President Kamala Harris makes her run for the Oval Office, Democratic leaders gathered in Nashua to rally behind their party’s new top candidate to take on Republican Donald Trump in this year’s presidential election.

During the July 24 press event, Raymond Buckley, chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, said one of Harris’ major accomplishments came in 2011 when she was California’s attorney general. At the time, Harris had taken legal action against Wells Fargo, Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase, accusing the banks of illegally foreclosing on properties. As a result of her relentless efforts, the three Wall Street giants agreed to a $20.4 billion settlement. The money was used to assist the 150,000 California residents who had lost their homes to foreclosure.

Buckley said that as the nation’s vice president, Harris bolstered international relations, having traveled to more than 19 countries. She also assisted with the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

“She is the best person to prosecute the case against Donald Trump,” said Buckley. “Kamala Harris represents the next generation of the Democratic Party.”

He also said Trump is no longer interested in Granite State voters.

“The Trump campaign isn’t going to come anywhere near New Hampshire,” said Buckley.

In addition, he does not expect Trump’s running mate, U.S. Sen. JD Vance R-Ohio, to be a formidable threat to the Harris campaign.

“JD brings nothing to the ticket,” said Buckley.

Although New Hampshire only carries four electoral votes, Buckley said those votes would have a significant impact in a tight election. Using the 2000 race as an example, he said winning New Hampshire would have given Democrat Al Gore exactly 270 electoral votes, the total required to clinch the presidency.

According to 270towin.com, that was the last time New Hampshire voted for a Republican in a presidential election.

New Hampshire Democratic Delegate Sumathi Madhure said the Biden-Harris administration has created 57,600 jobs in New Hampshire alone, adding that Harris has always been “pro-worker and pro-union.”

“Workers are the foundation of any successful economy,” said Madhure.

Perhaps one the administration’s greatest accomplishments, Madhure said, was the swift containment of the COVID-19 pandemic, which was terribly mismanaged under Trump.

She also called attention to the 920-page document known as Project 2025. It calls for dramatic changes such as eliminating the U.S. Department of Education, expanding presidential powers and restricting the sale of contraceptives.

“It would take our country back 100 years if not more,” said Madhure.

State Rep. Patricia Cornell agreed, saying Project 2025 would “punish women and defund government agencies.”

“We have to do everything we can to stop Donald Trump,” she said.

State Sen. Becky Whitley said Harris has always fought for women. She said that in March, Harris visited a Planned Parenthood facility in Minnesota as part of her Fight for Reproductive Freedoms tour. It was the first time that an incumbent vice president visited an abortion provider.

However, the Trump campaign remains adamant about using Project 2025 to enact a nationwide abortion ban.

“Donald Trump continues to brag about overturning Roe v. Wade,” said Whitley.