Opinion: My family’s future is at stake this election. That’s why I’m supporting Kamala Harris.

In this op-ed, Milwaukee resident and community organizer Kat Klawes recaps the energy at Kamala Harris and Tim Walz’s Milwaukee visit and explains why she’s working to help shape the country she wants to live in.

Cheers of “We’re not going back!” rang louder than any celebration I’ve ever heard in the Fiserv Forum, the very heart of Milwaukee and home to the Bucks basketball team. But on August 20th, it wasn’t a sports victory that had over 15,000 people on their feet. Kamala Harris had just been nominated as the Democratic nominee for President of the United States.

The energy in the arena was electric. Every seat was taken, and still, people stood for hours, refusing to miss the opportunity to witness this critical moment in American history. The buzz of anticipation was palpable as we all waited for Vice President Harris to take the stage. This wasn’t just a nomination; it was a declaration—a rallying cry for the future of our nation.

Before Kamala took the stage, Governor Tim Walz shared powerful words that struck the crowd. He cut through the noise with a sharp truth: “Republicans’ idea of freedom is ‘freedom for corporations to pollute our land and water.’” The crowd erupted, waving signs that read “Freedom,” but we are fighting for a different kind of freedom—the freedom to live in a country that values every citizen, not just the wealthiest. The freedom to protect our planet, our bodies, and our rights.

“In 77 days, we have the chance to change the world,” Walz declared. 

And I couldn’t have put it better myself. We have less than three months to mobilize, to plan, and to defend our democracy. It’s a daunting task, but as I looked around at the thousands of determined faces in the arena, I knew in my heart that our country was ready. We are ready to fight, organize, and win.

The stories shared that night were a stark reminder of what’s at stake. One woman from Texas, who had needed an abortion to save her life and her ability to have children in the future, shared her story. She’s now pregnant, expecting another child, and her words brought tears to my eyes: “My baby is due in January, just like Kamala.” This wasn’t just political rhetoric—this was real life, and these are the lives we are fighting to protect.

When it was Wisconsin’s turn to place their nomination, the excitement was infectious. Our delegates, proudly wearing cheese hats in homage to our dairy state roots, jumped and cheered. I overheard a mother tell her young daughter, “Make sure you remember this. This is history.” And she was right—this is history in the making, a turning point for our country.

As Kamala spoke about Trump’s intention to repeal the Affordable Care Act, the crowd’s shouts of “We’re not going back!” echoed throughout the arena. Since Trump’s three Supreme Court appointees have gutted abortion rights by overturning Roe v. Wade, Vice President Harris vowed to restore those protections once elected. Kamala promised freedom from gun violence, the freedom to love who you love, and the freedom to live in a country that honors its constitution, not seeks to tear it apart.

Kamala herself acknowledged the hard work that lies ahead. I’m determined to fight because I live with a rare blood disorder, where one of my medications costs $90,000 a dose. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has promised to repeal the ACA over 500 times. Without the ACA protections, I would be unable to afford the medication that I need as health insurance companies often deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions. 

I’m willing to do the hard work because my health is at stake. Additionally, I have a transgender parent, and I fear for her safety with the proposed rollbacks on protective laws. And with the climate crisis worsening every day, I know that we are running out of time to secure a livable future for ourselves and generations to come. This election isn’t just about politics; it’s about the very fabric of our lives and the people we love. 

As Kamala closed her speech, she posed a question that will define this election: “What kind of country do we want to live in?” The answer for me, for the thousands in that arena, and for millions across the nation, is clear. And that’s why I’ll be knocking on doors this November—not just for Kamala, but to help create the country I want to live in.