The decision by President Joe Biden to drop out of the presidential race and the sudden rise of presumptive Democratic nominee Kamala Harris changed the election momentum nationally.

The Harris campaign recently held a massive action on her behalf throughout Florida to mark 100 days until the General Election. Organizers said the campaign engaged thousands of people through dozens of events, including canvass launches, press events, and visits from local and state Democratic leaders.

Locally, it meant volunteering at a phone bank event at the Lee County Democratic Headquarters in Fort Myers on July 27 with calls going out to fellow Democrats and independents voters. Dozens of volunteers got on their cell phones to garner support to remind those called to vote in November.

Jim Rosinus, chairman of the Lee County Democrats, said individual attention is a better way to sway voters than a Trump boat rally.

“It’s really important to contact the individual voters. It’s nice to have a demonstration or be out on the water, but we need to let voters know how critical this election is,” he said. “There will be several races decided on Aug. 20 in the primaries. So, it’s important for the voters to know that and know what their options are.”

Lee Republicans, meanwhile, continued their efforts with Trumparilla — the referenced boat parade — also held on July 27. Boaters taking part in the Lee GOP-organized event met at the north side of the Caloosahatchee Bridge in Cape Cape and boated to the Sanibel Lighthouse and back.

Organizers said an estimated 1,000 boats took part, including a second armada that was waiting at the Miserable Mile as a welcoming committee for those who took part in the hour-and-a-half journey up the river from the Cape in support of Donald Trump and J.D.Vance.

“It was a solemn day that achieved exactly what we were hoping for — unity in the community — and in support of our president, Donald J. Trump. We look forward to the next event,” Michael Leiva, community outreach chairman for the Lee GOP Executive Committee and president of the state-chartered American First Club, said.

Supportive events aside, the emergence of Harris as the leading contender for the Democratic nomination has changed the campaign scenario for the rundown to the General Election on Nov. 5.

Leiva said from his perspective, that change is not going to matter much.

“It was something we all longed for and feared would happen, but we do not find ourselves concerned over the matter and will continue to move forward,” he said.

Rosinus, though, said the decision for Biden to drop out was huge, and even though everyone is grateful for the work he has done, it was time for a change.

“We are grateful for his decision to be selfless and put his ambitions aside for the betterment of the country,” he said. “The excitement has been extraordinary. The number of people who have come here has been ahead of anything we have done by miles. They’re asking what we can do to help.”

Before hitting the phones, there was a discussion on the issues that concern the volunteers. Among them was the future of democracy, health care, abortion rights and rights for the LGBTQ+ community.

Nicholas Duren, of Estero, was among the Harris phone bank callers. He was concerned about losing his rights if Trump wins.

“I told myself I needed to get more involved. I was involved in a lot of campaigns in Philadelphia and when I retired I kept it on the back burner,” Duren said. “I’m afraid this election will turn us one way or the other and I’m trying to do my part.”

Debbie Cabot said she was there to support Harris and the Democrats and has become reenergized since Biden stepped down and Harris emerged.

“I was very concerned about Joe Biden after the debate. She’s a fresh face, she’s younger, more vital and she has a great laugh,” she said. “I love that she’s a prosecutor and she will take the case to Trump and not babble stupidity or terrible plans for our country.”

Leslie Russner said she wanted to turn Florida blue again, which is possible after the state went with Obama twice.

“I love some of the things she did as a senator and what she stands for as a presidential candidate,” she said. “To see the overwhelming support she got from the Democrats made me realize she could win.”

Melia Vaccaro, of Marco Island, said Harris represents a fresh start for Democrats.

“I feel more hopeful than I have in years. I think it’s time to fight and I don’t think there’s ever been a more important time for it to happen,” she said. “There was a lot of apathy and malaise with Biden and Harris can bring in the voters Biden couldn’t.”

The phone bank was one of 30 pro-Harris events statewide that weekend. Officials said since Harris’ endorsement, the state has signed up more than 10,000 volunteers, the largest number in any of the battleground states.