VP Kamala Harris to make first campaign stop in Atlanta after becoming presumptive nominee

ATLANTA - Vice President and probable Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris is coming to Atlanta next week.

A source with the Harris campaign confirmed with FOX 5's Deidra Dukes that the vice president will be in Atlanta next Tuesday.

It will be her first appearance in Georgia since President Joe Biden announced his decision to end his reelection campaign and endorse Harris as his replacement in the upcoming election against former President Donald Trump. 

Details about the visit to the Peach State have not been released at this time.

MORE: Kamala Harris wins over Georgia Democrats: 'Georgia is all in'

Harris quickly got on the road after Biden's announcement.  She drew a large crowd on Tuesday at a rally in the Milwaukee area and then followed it up with an appearance at a gathering of the historically Black sorority Zeta Phi Beta in Indianapolis the next day. On Thursday, she traveled to Houston to speak at the AFT Convention.

In her recent speeches, the California politician characterized the election as "a choice between two different visions for our nation, one focused on the future, the other focused on the past."

The Democratic Party could make Harris its nominee as soon as Aug. 1 in a virtual vote and could formalize the nomination of her yet-unknown running mate soon after.

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While polls show Harris slightly trailing Trump in Georgia, Democrats in the state have said the potential change in candidate has led to a change in the campaign. 

Atlanta-based Black Voters Matter says it has watched a surge of energy get injected into the race, especially among young voters, who were not very enthusiastic about Biden’s reelection bid. 

"I tell you the chat group for our college organizers has been lit," Black Voters Matter co-founder Cliff Albright told FOX 5. "You’ve got new people looking to vote and knock on doors." 

Harris re-energizes electorate in Georgia

Many among the Democratic base in Georgia say they have been reinvigorated with Harris now becoming the presumptive presidential nominee. It is something that even non-partisan voters are feeling. 

"Being an independent voter, I don't normally give to a particular party," said Brian Weaver. "This was the first time I've actually donated to a particular party, and I did so the day after Biden dropped out." 

FOX 5 visited Marietta Square and talked to a diverse group of Georgia residents about the 2024 presidential race. 

Many believe the road to the White House runs through Georgia, one of eight battleground states that could decide the race. 

SEE ALSO: Will Harris and Trump debate? What we know

Bill Snellgrove says he is voting for the former president. 

"His beliefs line up a little bit better with my beliefs. Do they line up perfectly? No, they don't, but they line up a little better than the opposing candidate," explained Snellgrove. 

With recent polls showing a close race, Snellgrove believes both candidates could benefit by campaigning heavily in key states leading up to the election. 

"At this point, I think it still makes a difference. I would say they can charge up their base a little bit and their base may go out and campaign for them," he said. 

Brandi Smith hasn't decided who she'll vote for. She welcomes the opportunity to hear from both candidates firsthand during their campaign visits. 

"To hear the real issues of the community. I think that's very important," Smith said. 

Trump is also expected to campaign heavily here in Georgia in coming months.   

Trump takes aim at Harris at rally

Since Biden's departure, Trump has ramped up his criticism of Harris, calling her "the same as Biden but much more radical."

"So now we have a new victim to defeat: Lyin’ Kamala Harris," Trump said, labeling her "the most incompetent and far-left vice president in American history."

Trump also accused Harris of being just as responsible for Biden’s policies at the U.S.-Mexico border, which saw illegal crossing arrests reach record highs at the end of 2023 and repeated his pledge to conduct mass deportations with the help of local police.

"Kamala’s deadly destruction of America’s borders is completely and totally disqualifying. She shouldn’t be allowed to run for president with what she’s done," Trump told supporters.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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