The vice presidential candidates from the Republican and Democratic parties visited Wisconsin on Monday, October 8, just eight days before the election. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic nominee, aimed to promote early voting during his stops, while Republican nominee JD Vance centered his campaign message on economic issues.
Governor Walz began his day in Manitowoc before heading to Waukesha in the afternoon. He emphasized the urgency of voting, stating, “We have less than 200 hours left. We’re going to take the message to all parts of the country.” He highlighted the significance of democracy and urged citizens to protect it for the future.
This marked Walz’s seventh visit to Wisconsin as Kamala Harris’ running mate. He criticized former President Donald Trump, claiming, “This is someone unfit for the office… He uses terms that dictators use and admires Xi Jinping’s rule in China.”
In response, WisGOP Chairman Brian Schimming argued that Walz could not distract voters from the issues of the last four years, including high inflation and open borders.
Republican nominee JD Vance visited Wausau before moving on to Racine in the evening, focusing his remarks on the economy. He criticized Kamala Harris, asserting she cannot distance herself from the Biden administration’s actions over the past three and a half years.
Vance addressed a comment made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe during a Trump rally, stating he did not find it newsworthy, emphasizing that the real issue is the rising cost of living for Americans.
In a separate campaign effort, the Harris-Walz team announced that former President Bill Clinton would visit the Fox Valley and Milwaukee on Thursday, October 31, to encourage early voting among Wisconsinites.