(This story was updated on Aug. 27.)
Vice President Kamala Harris filled Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum with more than 15,000 supporters on day 2 of the Democratic National Convention, Aug. 19. This was her third appearance in Wisconsin since the launch of her Presidential campaign in July. Harris hosted the event in the same arena that GOP delegates and party officials occupied for the Republican National Convention in July.
Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz traveled 90 miles to Milwaukee from Chicago with ease.
“The coach and I were together in Wisconsin just two weeks ago – the first rally after I announced he would be my running mate,” Harris told the crowd. “And it is so good to be back with all of you.” Democrats live-streamed the ceremonial DNC roll call for rally attendees before Harris walked out on stage, beaming her introduction on the video board in Chicago.
MATC Times reporter and photographer, Cierra Pleshette represented Milwaukee Area Technical college at the Harris and Walz campaign rally event. Tim Walz spoke at 7 p.m. and welcomed Harris at 8 p.m. During the event, she expressed empathy when a medical emergency was announced from a person falling down. ¨After attending the RNC and Democrat events, it was nice to see both sides.¨ Pleshette said.
With 11 weeks left to sway voters in the seven swing states including Wisconsin, Democrats at the DNC convention welcomed a star-studded line of speakers: former President Barack Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama, Second Gentlemen Doug Emhoff, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. At the DNC, Harris advocated for women’s rights. This has been an important topic addressed on both sides throughout the election. “Our campaign is a fight for the future, and it is a fight for freedom,” Harris said. “Like the freedom for a woman to make decisions about her own body and not have the government tell her what to do.”
Wisconsin is one of the most important states in elections. It is considered a “swing state” and has a history of being unpredictable. This makes the state essential on the Democrats path towards 270 electoral votes. Harris has taken action to host campaign rallies in the Milwaukee area to increase engagement with voters. According to experts, her approach to winning the election is to avoid the previous mistake of Hillary Clinton, who lost Wisconsin after not campaigning in the state.
