Kamala Harris, Tim Walz make campaign stop in Michigan Wednesday night
DETROIT (FOX 2) - One day after Kamala Harris picked her running mate for the White House, the Democratic Presidential nominee and her Vice Presidential candidate made a stop in Detroit on Wednesday as they visit seven swing states to campaign for votes ahead of the November Election.
Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate on Tuesday.
Harris and Walz arrived in Detroit ahead of their 7 p.m. campaign stop, which was the pair's second stop of the day after visiting Wisconsin earlier. You can watch their remarks in the player above and on FOX 2's YouTube channel.
In total, the Harris-Walz ticket will travel through seven states this week. Michigan is the largest rally of the Harris-Walz presidential campaign, Walz said during his speech.
Each of the states on the circuit may play defining roles in the 2024 general election - and likely won't be the last time Harris or Walz visit them.
"I couldn't be prouder to be on this ticket, and to help make Kamala Harris the next president of the United States," Walz said during the rally at the Detroit Metro Airport, which thousands attended.
Harris took the stage after 8 p.m., addressing some of the issues that reign supreme this election cycle – including automotive jobs, reproductive policy, and the economy.
"We fight for a future where every worker has the freedom to join a union, where every senior can retire with dignity, a future with affordable housing, affordable child care, affordable health care and paid leave," Harris said. "A future where we build a broad-based economy, where every American has an opportunity to own a home, to start a business and to build wealth."
She also spoke highly of her running mate, Walz.
"He has an incredible record as governor of the great state of Minnesota," Harris said. "He is incredible. He is a serious, serious man. He has been a serious leader and he loves our country…
"To Gwen, Tim Walz is husband, to his kids Hope and Gus, he is dad. To his fellow veterans, he is Sgt. Maj. Walz. To the people of southern Minnesota for 12 years, he was a congressman. To his former high school students, he is Mr. Walz. And to his former high school football player, he is coach. And in 90 days, the nation will know Coach Walz by the title 'Vice President of the United States.'"
Before Walz and Harris addressed the crowd, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrest, U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, and U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar took the stage.
The crowd started chanting "lock him up," when Harris began talking about her opponent, former President Donald Trump. In response, Harris said "the courts are going to handle that. We're going to beat him in November."
Pro-Palestine protesters interrupted the vice president's speech, shouting out opposition to the ongoing war in Gaza and other Palestinian territories.
"I'm here because we believe in democracy," Harris said when protesting erupted. "Everyone's voice matters, but I am speaking now."
Numerous rally goers were also ushered out of the event early due to the high temperatures and humidity. Medics were on sight.
Michigan is also on the minds of the Republican presidential ticket as well, with Vice Presidential nominee JD Vance delivering remarks in Shelby Township on Wednesday. It was Vance's second stop since being named Donald Trump's pick as Vice President.
The Trump campaign weighed in on the Harris-Walz Detroit campaign visit on Wednesday, saying in part "the Kamala Harris and Tim Walz gaslighting tour of Michigan is frankly insulting... The dangerously liberal California elitist is more focused on TikTok trends and celebrity endorsement than the stock market crash, looming war in Europe and the Middle East and the border crisis."
The latest polling of Harris and Trump in Michigan shows the two neck-and-neck, with the most recent survey showing both candidates tied at 45% among likely voters.
Harris will remain in Michigan on Thursday to do more campaigning before heading to the battleground state of North Carolina.
The next four trips include visits to North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada – all considered swing states in the November election.