Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz arrived at Erie International Airport on Thursday afternoon ahead of an evening rally at Highmark Amphitheater in Liberty Park.
Walz’s visit follows that of his Republican counterpart, Senator J.D. Vance, who spoke at a local business in Erie the previous week.
The governor is expected to address supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris at 6 p.m. Harris secured the Democratic nomination after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race on July 21 following a poor debate performance in June that led to concerns about his capacity to lead for another term.
Harris had to rapidly choose a running mate after gaining the endorsement of Biden and obtaining enough delegates for the nomination, ultimately selecting the relatively unknown school teacher, coach, veteran, and former congressman over a number of other Democrats, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
Neither Harris nor her opponent, former President Donald Trump, have made appearances in Erie County this year, although Trump held a rally at Erie Insurance Arena in July 2023.
Walz’s stop in Erie is part of a two-day campaign tour in the critical battleground state that could influence the outcome of the presidential election. He made previous stops in Lancaster and Pittsburgh on Wednesday.
During his visit to the Harris-Walz field office on West Eighth Street in downtown Erie, Walz engaged with a group of volunteers.
“This election will go right through Erie, Pennsylvania,” he stated. “We know that this is a bellwether county, and the work you’re doing here is going to make a difference.”
Walz also criticized former President Trump, responding to his comments from a campaign event where Trump told supporters they had “no choice” but to vote for him.
“Like almost everything, he is a hundred percent wrong,” Walz remarked.
His tone turned serious as he addressed the recent shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia, which resulted in the deaths of two students and two teachers.
“We keep talking about this idea of freedom: freedom to make your own healthcare decisions, freedom to set your life forward, freedom to breathe clean air and drink clean water,” Walz said. “And I talk about this freedom for our kids to go to school without being shot.”
Walz emphasized that none of Harris’s proposed policies would violate Second Amendment rights.
He concluded his remarks by motivating the campaign volunteers, suggesting their efforts could be pivotal in the upcoming election.
“There’s a very real chance that the calls that are being made here could make the difference in the vote and make the difference in Pennsylvania that can impact generations to come,” Walz said.
Later, along with his daughter Hope, Walz stopped for a meal at Sara’s near Presque Isle State Park, delighting patrons, including a group of Penn State Behrend students who had the opportunity to speak with him briefly.
The governor ordered a burger, onion rings, and two chocolate milkshakes, one for himself and one for his daughter.
This story is developing and updates will follow.