Houston: While Texas isn’t a major battleground state in the presidential race, the event leveraged Beyoncé’s influence to mobilize support for abortion rights, with hopes of swaying voters toward a U.S. Senate seat for the Democrats. Harris, together with Texas Democratic Senate candidate Colin Allred, seized the opportunity to underline the critical issue of reproductive rights in a state where restrictions have drastically increased.
Beyoncé, accompanied by her mother Tina Knowles and sister Kelly Rowland, publicly endorsed Harris in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Shell Energy Stadium, which holds up to 22,000 attendees. The anthem “Freedom” has played as the backdrop for Harris’ campaign since July, fittingly amplifying the call for reproductive rights. Other notable figures, such as Willie Nelson, Jessica Alba, and Houston-based OB-GYN doctors, also voiced their support for Harris and reproductive freedom.
Harris’ remarks at the rally addressed the impact of abortion bans on maternal health and safety. She recalled the experiences of several women, including Texan Kate Cox, whose lives were at risk after being denied essential care due to restrictive abortion laws. “You are ground zero in the fight for reproductive freedom,” she emphasized. “Doctors and nurses in Texas could face life sentences simply for providing reproductive care. This election, reproductive freedom is on the ballot.”
Beyoncé addressed the crowd, saying, “I’m here not as a celebrity or a politician, but as a mother. Imagine our daughters growing up with no limitations, no ceilings. We’re part of something bigger. We must vote, and we need you. It’s time to sing a new song.”
The rally also included the debut of a $5 million pro-abortion rights campaign aiming to unseat Texas Senator Ted Cruz. Texas leads the nation in out-of-state abortion seekers since its six-week abortion ban in 2021, followed by a near-total ban the next year. Recent polls show Allred closing in on Cruz’s lead, signaling a possible shift.
As Harris energized Houston, former President Trump was in Austin, meeting privately with supporters before a podcast recording with Joe Rogan.
Early voting continues through November 1, with Election Day set for November 5.
