WASHINGTON – Vice President Kamala Harris is receiving a sweet tribute ahead of the 2024 presidential election with a new, limited-edition ice cream flavor inspired by her. The flavor, “Kamala’s Coconut Jubilee,” is a collaboration between progressive advocacy group MoveOn and Ben & Jerry’s co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield.
The special ice cream, featuring a coconut base with caramel swirls and red, white, and blue star sprinkles, will be available for sampling at the “Scoop the Vote” ice cream truck tour. The tour aims to engage voters in key battleground states by offering free ice cream and promoting voter registration ahead of the upcoming presidential election. The truck will visit 20 cities, starting in Philadelphia on Monday, and will make stops in Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Nevada—states that are expected to play a significant role in the election outcome.
Rahna Epting, executive director of MoveOn, told USA TODAY that the initiative aims to reach potential voters who may not yet be motivated to participate. “Even activities like enjoying free ice cream can be a way to connect with Americans who aren’t yet engaged in the election,” Epting explained.
The ice cream truck will not only offer treats but also host volunteers who will engage visitors in discussions about crucial issues such as the economy and reproductive rights. Epting emphasized that the key to mobilizing voters is direct engagement. “We’re not going to win this election through New York Times op-eds or smart tweets,” she said. “We’ll win by talking to voters directly and helping them realize how critical it is to cast their ballots.”
In addition to “Kamala’s Coconut Jubilee,” the ice cream truck will feature other flavors inspired by Harris and progressive themes, including “Unburdened by What Has Vanilla Bean” and “Fight For Our Rights Sorbet.”
The launch of the new flavor comes at a time when Harris and former President Donald Trump are facing off in a tight race, with recent polls indicating a close contest in key battleground states. Harris holds a slight edge over Trump in Wisconsin and Michigan, while the two candidates are in a dead heat in Georgia, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. Trump leads Harris in Arizona by a small margin.
Cohen, who personally developed the ice cream flavor in his kitchen, emphasized that his involvement stems from a desire to support a leader who values decency and inclusivity. “I want to see someone in the White House who supports people of all races and genders, and I think Kamala is that person,” Cohen said. He and Greenfield created the first batch of the ice cream themselves, mixing the coconut base and caramel swirl by hand before topping it with star sprinkles.
The “Scoop the Vote” tour follows a similar initiative in 2016, when Cohen created a special ice cream flavor to support Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign. Cohen, who has long been politically active, expressed hope that Harris’ candidacy could inspire renewed energy among Democrats, particularly as the election approaches.
Greenfield, also a supporter of Harris, shared Cohen’s optimism about the potential for increased voter participation. He stressed that retaining momentum for Harris’ campaign was essential to ensure a positive political outcome in 2024.
The collaboration marks the latest intersection of politics and pop culture, as the ice cream flavors continue to serve as a unique way to energize and mobilize voters.
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