“It feels like the energy around Harris-Walz has just died down since the summer.”

Josh Skarda, 21, is a senior journalism student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Through their work as a journalist for Up North News, they have developed an understanding of the nuances within media, allowing for their political grievances and thoughts to be expanded upon with the 2024 election.

Jonathan Joseph: How do you feel about the ticket you’re voting for?

Josh Skarda: I’m voting for the Harris-Walz ticket, and I would say it’s definitely one of the better-case scenarios in the current political climate. However, there is a lot about the administration I’m not keen on such as funding overseas wars, specifically the Israel-Palestine conflict. I wish there was a more firm stance on a ceasefire or a defunding plan by the Harris-Walz ticket. I am definitely more confident in this ticket than if Joe Biden ran again or if Harris picked a different running mate.

Jonathan Joseph: Expand on that for me. What about this ticket makes it more appealing?

Josh Skarda: I’ve written about the importance of the union vote. My dad is in a teachers’ union in Appleton and has marched on the capitol in Madison. It’s nice seeing someone who was a public teacher and understands the middle class better than someone who has lived in the political machine.

Jonathan Joseph: Is there anything from the Harris-Walz ticket that makes you question your decision?

Josh Skarda: There are definitely things that have made me less enthusiastic, such as Kamala Harris saying she wants to make her cabinet more bipartisan, which to me just seems like a people-pleasing move. The stance on Israel-Palestine is also bothersome as it’s an important issue that neither candidate is outwardly against. I’ve spoken to a lot of people about this, and it feels like the energy around Harris-Walz has just died down since the summer. When she announced that she was running for president there was a tangible excitement, specifically while working in a newsroom. It feels like she is trying to not appease the same people as originally.

Jonathan Joseph: As a young voter and journalist, would you say that the new strategy from Harris-Walz has alienated younger voters?

Josh Skarda: I would say to an extent, yes. I’m not sure that a lot of people who are not voting now would have in the first place, but I can say for sure that her refusal to have a strong stance on things has hurt a lot of people. I’ve heard from a lot of people that they feel responsible for the policies that are being established by these candidates including the Israel-Palestine conflict. I know from peers that the refusal to acknowledge what everyone is thinking is hurtful as a voter.