Kamala Harris Campaign Hires Egyptian American Lawyer for Arab American Outreach
Washington, D.C., The Gulf Observer: Kamala Harris presidential campaign has strategically enlisted Brenda Abdelall, an Egyptian American lawyer and former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official, to lead outreach efforts to Arab American voters in key battleground states. This move, confirmed by two sources to media, is seen as critical to securing votes in states that could determine the outcome of the November 5 election.
Abdelall’s role will focus on garnering support from a community deeply disillusioned by the U.S. government’s unwavering support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which many Arab Americans perceive as genocidal. This discontent could significantly influence voter turnout and preferences, particularly in states like Michigan, which boasts one of the largest Arab American populations in the country.
The Harris campaign, which is in a closely contested race with Republican candidate Donald Trump, has not officially commented on Abdelall’s hiring. Abdelall herself did not respond to requests for comment. Harris has also engaged Afghan American lawyer Nasrina Bargzie to spearhead outreach to Muslim American voters, highlighting the campaign’s broader strategy to connect with diverse communities.
The Democratic candidate’s outreach efforts come at a time when Arab and Muslim American voters are increasingly critical of the Biden administration’s stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict. In 2020, President Joe Biden secured a significant portion of the Arab and Muslim vote, but recent policies have led to widespread disillusionment, resulting in an “uncommitted” campaign against him in Democratic nominating contests.
Michigan, where Harris is scheduled to visit next week, has been a focal point of protests against U.S. support for Israel. In the state’s primary, over 100,000 voters cast their ballots as “uncommitted” rather than endorsing Biden, reflecting the growing dissatisfaction within the community. Activists have expressed that they hold Harris accountable for the administration’s policies regarding the crisis in Gaza.
Abdelall, who grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has a background in civil rights and government service. She recently served as a senior counselor to the DHS secretary and previously held the position of chief of staff for the department’s civil rights office. Beyond her legal career, Abdelall has engaged in cultural activities, including running a food blog centered on Middle Eastern cuisine and teaching cooking classes in northern Virginia.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with Israel’s military operations causing extensive destruction, displacing nearly all of the 2.4 million residents multiple times, and resulting in a humanitarian catastrophe. The death toll has exceeded 40,500, with thousands more feared buried under rubble. A group of American medical professionals who have volunteered in Gaza estimate that the actual number of casualties may already exceed 92,000, and a study published in The Lancet suggests that the long-term impact of the conflict could raise the death toll to over 186,000.
As Harris continues her campaign, the support of Arab and Muslim American voters could prove pivotal in determining the outcome of the election in key swing states.
