Former President Bill Clinton addressed churchgoers in Albany, Georgia, on Sunday, urging them to support Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign for the presidency. Clinton emphasized the importance of unity and collective action in the political landscape.

“Uniting people and building, being repairers of the breach, as Isaiah says, those are the things that work,” he remarked. “Blaming, dividing, demeaning — they get you a bunch of votes at election time, but they don’t work.”

Clinton’s presence at Mount Zion Baptist Church drew a warm reception, with many attendees standing to applaud him. While the congregation was not at full capacity, a diverse audience, including younger individuals, filled the pews.

“It was a great advancement for southwest Georgia to have the former president come to grace us today during the church service and spread the word about voting, especially to our young people,” said Takisha Campbell, a local attendee.

Georgia’s role as a critical battleground in the upcoming presidential election cannot be overstated, with turnout among Black voters seen as vital for the Democratic Party’s success in securing the state’s 16 electoral votes. In the 2020 election, Democrat Joe Biden narrowly won Georgia, defeating then-President Donald Trump by just 11,779 votes out of over five million cast. This marked a significant shift, as it was the first time a Democrat had won the state since Clinton himself in 1992.

Recalling his own experiences in Georgia, Clinton noted that during the 1992 campaign, he and then-Senator Al Gore traveled the state on a campaign bus, appealing to rural voters. In a modern twist, Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz recently revived this grassroots approach, visiting regions like Savannah and Liberty County, although they have yet to reach the western parts of the state.

Albany holds historical significance in the Civil Rights Movement, and during his address at Mount Zion, Clinton reminisced about a time when political discourse was less divisive. He criticized the current political climate, which he described as rife with misinformation, pointing specifically to a controversial social media post by U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. The post suggested that Democrats were responsible for Hurricane Helene’s impact on the southeast last month.

Additionally, Clinton denounced Ohio Senator JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, labeling him a “yes man” for failing to acknowledge Trump’s loss in the 2020 election.

During his address, Clinton highlighted Harris’s achievements, particularly her efforts to lower insulin costs and bolster economic recovery. He noted her commitment to creating more opportunities, including a plan to assist first-time homeowners.

Regina Whearry, another attendee, expressed a desire for greater community awareness regarding Clinton’s visit. She appreciated his balance of policy discussion and spiritual reflection. “It was well needed because in this area, we have very low turnout, especially among our Black males,” Whearry remarked, underscoring the importance of engagement in the upcoming election.