Kamala Harris Says Black People ‘Need To Be Transactional Voters’ — Here’s What That Means

Kamala Harris is urging Black voters to rethink how they approach elections — not just as civic duty, but as a form of leverage.

As a speaker at the National Action Network Convention in New York City, Harris delivered both a warning and a strategy to a room full of activists, lawmakers and rising political stars. The annual gathering, hosted by Rev. Al Sharpton, has increasingly served as an informal audition stage for potential 2028 Democratic presidential contenders.

Harris’ message stood out, even without an official presidential bid announcement.

“I’ve come to the realization that some people are purely transactional,” Harris told the audience. “They’re in it for what they can get out of it and whoever is harmed in the process, so be it.”

Harris pointed to differing voter priorities, contrasting individual economic concerns with broader policy goals. Reporting from the Associated Press following the 2024 presidential election found that many voters who supported Donald Trump were motivated by issues like gas prices and the cost of groceries. Meanwhile, according to the Los Angeles Times, many voters who backed Harris cited concerns about the future of democracy.

With that in mind, Harris suggested voters should be more explicit about what they expect in return for their support.

Source: Kamala Harris Says Black People ‘Need To Be Transactional Voters’ — Here’s What That Means