There are mixed feelings with Kamala Harris becoming the Democratic nominee after President Joe Biden bowed out in July.
Some residents in central Illinois are excited. Others are undecided.
Traditionally, candidates running for President have been male and white, Harris is the first Black and South Asian woman to top the ticket.
That excites Nina Bonner, 22, a Black Master’s student returning to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This is her second time voting in a Presidential election.
“She is, on paper, a more progressive candidate,” Bonner said. “I think- and is what the Democratic party needs to at least have a better chance at beating Trump.”
Bonner added that former President Donald Trump taking pride in reproductive rights being overturned is a sign that Harris is needed.
“You know, a lot of people are talking about ‘Project 2025’, that’s on the line,” Bonner said. “So, I think him just representing the far right, right now, and like, kind of taking our country back in a lot of ways.”
In July, the Kamala Harris – Tim Walz campaign raised more than $300 million dollars. National Public Radio reported the majority of that money has come from first time donors.
At a farmer’s market in Monticello in Piatt County, IPM news met up with first time voter, Hannah. She did not give her last name.
The University of Kentucky sophomore said it’s empowering to see a woman running for President, but not enough to earn her vote.
“I’m a very strong Christian, so I believe in voting as a Christian first,” she said. “With that I’m going to be looking for, I don’t know, the values behind the different candidates”
Whether it’s Trump or Harris, Hannah wants someone who promotes peace.
“Those are my main values- loving your neighbor as yourself,” she explained. “And obviously that can be seen, that in our country today that’s not really being followed, and that really makes me sad.”
Hannah also shared that she hasn’t made a final decision on who she will vote for.
According to a NPR and Marist poll conducted between August 1-4, Harris is gaining support from Black voters and white women with college degrees.
Meanwhile, Trump leads among men and white voters without degrees.