Vice President Kamal Harris and Tim Walz Rally in Western Wisconsin
Key Battleground State Welcomes Democratic Presidential Aspirants
EAU CLAIRE, Wis.
– The focal point of the presidential battle on Wednesday, Wisconsin played host to both prominent campaigns. Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamal Harris, along with her newly announced running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, made their presence felt with an impactful afternoon rally.
An impressive gathering of hundreds had already lined up since 7 a.m., with the organizers expecting a formidable crowd of 15,000. This considerable turnout would solidify the rally as the biggest yet for Harris whose Tuesday night rally in Philadelphia had drawn a crowd of 10,000 inside and 4,000 people outside the venue.
Rival Campaigns Bring the Heat
In order to counter the Democrats, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, running mate to former President Donald Trump, is gearing up to conduct a media talk at 1 p.m. near Eau Claire.
The Harris campaign smartly decided to announce the rally a week prior, as part of a jam-packed schedule of stops in competitive battleground states. This constitutes Harris’s second visit to Wisconsin since President Joe Biden suspended his campaign, and Vance’s first return since his appearance at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
Rally Generates Positive Response Among Wisconsin Democrats
Bryan and Ellie Radue, a couple from Green Bay, set off at 4:30 a.m. to secure their spot at the rally. They mentioned that Wisconsin Democrats have felt a surge of energy since Harris’s ascent to the presidential slot, which was enhanced further when Walz was announced as her running mate.
Judy Tulgren and Bonnie Clark, natives of Eau Claire, stated that Wisconsin voters are notoriously hard to predict. Tulgren noted Harris as a viable choice for Democrats and hoped that the inclusion of Walz on the ticket would sway Wisconsin farmers who typically lean Republican.
Walz Elicits Excitement Among Teachers
Teachers Karin Hogen and Erik Lepisto from Central Middle School in White Bear Lake expressed elation over Walz’s nomination. Surprised by the little-known fact that Walz remains a “teacher on leave” at Minnesota which affirms his continuous membership of the Minnesota teachers union, Hogen and Lepisto wore the union’s 2024 political conference t-shirts in a show of solidarity.
Attendees Await Bon Iver’s Performance
The Wisconsin rally is expected to feature a performance by Justin Vernon’s band, Bon Iver, heightening the anticipation of those attending.
This is an ongoing story with more updates to come.
