Over 90 Top Executives Endorse Kamala Harris for President

A group of over 90 prominent business executives, including leaders from Yelp and Chobani and former CEOs of PepsiCo, Ford Motor Co., and Yahoo!, announced their endorsement of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 presidential election. This declaration was made public in a letter released Friday, signaling growing support for Harris in the upcoming race against former President Donald Trump.

The letter, first reported by CNBC, highlights Harris’ economic and leadership record, praising her ability to foster business investment within the U.S. and strengthen the country’s competitive edge on the global stage. “Harris has a proven track record of advancing initiatives that spur business investment and ensure American companies can compete internationally,” the group stated. They emphasized her commitment to maintaining stability, the rule of law, and promoting a fair business environment. “She will continue to provide every American with the opportunity to pursue the American dream,” the letter continued.

Several notable figures, such as billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban, former 21st Century Fox CEO James Murdoch, and NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, were among the signatories. Laurene Powell Jobs, leader of the Emerson Collective and widow of former Apple CEO Steve Jobs, also voiced her support, as did previous leaders from Merck, Aetna, GoDaddy, Blackstone, and Starbucks.

The endorsement is pivotal, as the economy remains a critical issue for voters heading into the November 5th election. Harris and Trump are outlining their economic visions, with Harris proposing tax cuts for most Americans, measures against grocery price gouging, housing reforms, and expanding child tax credits. She also plans to raise the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28%, aligned with her broader economic strategy.

In contrast, Trump has focused on reducing corporate taxes to 15% and intends to appoint billionaire Elon Musk to audit the U.S. government. Additionally, he plans to open up national lands for large-scale housing developments and streamline regulations on energy projects.

Economic analysts are weighing in on the potential impact of each candidate’s policies. Goldman Sachs suggested that a Trump victory could lead to a downturn in economic output due to increased tariffs and stricter immigration policies. Meanwhile, a Harris presidency could result in moderate job growth and a slight increase in GDP, according to their analysis.

This endorsement from a wide array of business leaders adds momentum to Harris’ campaign as early voting prepares to begin across several states.

Source : Associated Press (AP)