Both campaigns made stops in Wisconsin and Michigan; Vance stumped on immigration and manufacturing, Harris and Walz on labor.
DETROITâOn August 7, the Democratic and Republican presidential campaigns held competing rallies in crucial battleground states.
Vice President Kamala Harris and her newly selected running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, campaigned in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, before making a stop at the DetroitâWayne County airport later that evening.
Senator JD Vance (R-Ohio), the running mate of Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump, addressed the crowd outside the Shelby Township Police Department in Michigan on the morning of August 7, followed by his own event in Eau Claire in the afternoon.
During the rally in Eau Claire, Walz emphasized his Midwestern background, highlighting his upbringing in small-town Nebraska, his 24 years of military service, and his experience as a high school teacher and coach.
âI have to say, this idea of caring for our neighbor, kindness, and offering a helping hand when needed, that’s who we are,â Walz shared with the enthusiastic audience in Eau Claire.
Vance’s speech in Shelby Township focused on crime and illegal immigration, particularly highlighting a case of alleged sexual assault by an illegal immigrant who had previously been deported from the US.
During his visit to Eau Claire, Vance toured a Wollard International manufacturing plant to underscore the importance of American manufacturing.
âI believe it’s crucial that we increase our domestic manufacturing capabilities,â Vance stated, connecting with voters in the manufacturing heartland.
Walz differentiated himself from Vance by mentioning his trap shooting skills and coaching a high school football team to a state championship, while pointing out that Vance, despite coming from poverty in the Midwest, went on to receive an Ivy League education and work for a Silicon Valley venture capital firm.
âThat’s not representative of Wisconsin or Minnesota,â Walz remarked.
Following Walz’s remarks, Harris promised a future where “every worker has the freedom to join a union,” prompting cheers from the crowd. She described herself and Walz as “joyful warriors.”
The Midwest, particularly Michigan and Wisconsin, holds significant importance in the race for the White House. These states have 15 and 10 electoral college votes, respectively. Although Democrats narrowly won both states in 2020 after Republicans carried them in 2016, they are now considered swing states.
In Michigan, Harris currently leads Trump by 1.7 percentage points, according to FiveThirtyEight’s polling average. Various state polls show a close race between Harris and Trump, with one poll from Public Opinion Strategies released on August 1 indicating a tie.
Similarly, in Wisconsin, Harris leads Trump by 1.6 percentage points in the polling average. While Harris is ahead in polls from Public Opinion Strategies and Marquette University Law School, a poll from Redfield & Wilton Strategies released on August 6 shows a tie between Harris and Trump.
As the race remains tight in the Midwest, Walz’s potential appeal to this region and swing state voters may have influenced his selection as the vice presidential candidate over Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.
Nathan Worcester contributed to this report.
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