Kamala Harris was overheard acknowledging her campaign’s struggle with male voters during a conversation with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer at a bar in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, left, stands with U.S. Vice President and democratic candidate for U.S. President Kamala Harris during a campaign stop in Romulus on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024.

The two Democratic leaders, who stopped at Trak Houz Bar & Grill after a campaign event on Sunday, were recorded on a hot mic discussing challenges in attracting male support, a key demographic in the tight race with former President Donald Trump.

Harris and Whitmer, who joked about renaming the town “Kamala-zoo,” sat down with pre-poured beers when a reporter asked Harris what she was drinking. “I’m having what she’s having,” Harris responded with a laugh.

During the conversation, Harris openly mentioned her campaign’s need to “move ground among men,” drawing a quick acknowledgment from Whitmer.

Moments later, Harris seemed surprised to realize that microphones were capturing their conversation, saying, “Oh, we have microphones listening to everything! I didn’t realize that!”

Do you think the economy will come back roaring quickly when Trump takes office?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from Official Sean Parnell, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

Attempting to laugh off the situation, Harris joked, “Well, now you tell us… we just told all the family secrets… s**t.” Both she and Whitmer laughed before Harris concluded, “Anyway, good to see you!” and wrapped up the conversation.

The exchange comes amid reports showing a decrease in support for Harris among key voting blocs, particularly young Black and Latino men.

According to a recent New York Times/Siena College poll, Harris is currently polling at 78 percent support among Black voters overall, down significantly from the 90 percent support that Joe Biden received in 2020.

The drop is even more pronounced among Black male voters, with only 70 percent backing Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

This is a sharp decline from the 85 percent support Biden received from Black male voters in the previous election cycle.

Additionally, a GenForward survey reported that nearly a quarter of young Black men now say they are backing Trump, while 44 percent of young Latino men expressed similar support, according to The Hill.

The Kalamazoo campaign stop highlights Harris’s efforts to secure votes in Michigan, a crucial swing state.

Kamala’s visit comes as recent polls indicate Trump gaining traction across demographic groups traditionally aligned with Democrats.

As both parties intensify their outreach to voters, these numbers are closely watched for potential shifts in key battleground states that could determine the election outcome.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Sean Parnell. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.