Kamala Harris Skips Historic Al Smith Dinner, Breaking Decades-Old Tradition

Washington: Vice President Kamala Harris will not attend this year’s Al Smith Dinner, breaking a longstanding tradition of presidential candidates attending the charitable event. Instead, Harris plans to campaign in key battleground states ahead of Election Day. The Al Smith Dinner, a major fundraising event hosted by the Archdiocese of New York, is known for its lighthearted roasts between candidates. The last candidate to skip the dinner was Vice President Walter Mondale in 1984 during his failed presidential run.

Archdiocese spokesperson Joseph Zwilling expressed disappointment over Harris’s decision, stating the dinner is an opportunity for unity and supporting women and children in need. He added that Harris’s team indicated she would attend the dinner if elected president.

Former President Donald Trump, on the other hand, has confirmed his attendance at the event, which will take place on October 17. Trump has a history with the Al Smith Dinner, famously attending in 2016 when he was booed for comments directed at his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton.

The Al Smith Dinner, first held in 1946, is named after Alfred E. Smith, the first Roman Catholic to be nominated for president by a major political party in 1928. It typically raises millions to support charitable causes in New York. Although Harris’s absence is notable, her team suggests she might reconsider attending in future years if she wins the presidency.

What is Al Smith Dinner

The dinner benefitting Catholic Charities traditionally has been used to promote collegiality and good humor, with presidential candidates from both parties appearing on the same night and trading barbs.