Tim Walz’s dual role as governor and vice president of Minnesota Kamala Harris’ running mate was on full display Saturday as he attended a tailgate with Michigan football fans before heading onto the field to meet Minnesota’s coach.
Walz visited Ann Arbor to watch the University of Michigan teams play in what is expected to be his last major campaign appearance before Tuesday’s vice presidential debate.
Earlier in the day, Walz was greeted at the airport by University of Michigan students, who had arrived on a bus carrying a banner that read “Put Me In, Coach!” Michigan won the game against Walz’s home state school. Walz has drawn on his background as a football coach and teacher during his campaign campaign as Democrats look to stoke enthusiasm among young voters, with Walz recently making several visits to college campuses.
The visit comes ahead of Tuesday’s debate between Walz and Donald Trump’s running mate, the Republican senator. J.D. Vance of Ohio. After Saturday’s match, Walz will travel to northern Michigan to prepare for the final debate before the showdown, according to a person familiar with his plans who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private preparations.
Harris, meanwhile, held a fundraiser in San Francisco on Saturday, telling a crowd full of raucous supporters that “there is so much at stake in this election” as she spoke about abortion bans in states and the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision granting broad immunity to presidents .
“I’m convinced,” she said. “The American people are convinced it is time to turn the page.”
She said the American people were ready for “optimistic leadership” and that her supporters, including Republicans like Dick Cheney, “are supporting our campaign because they want an American president who is committed to all the American people.”
Trump held a rally in Wisconsin on Saturday and was also expected to attend a college football game – the primetime matchup between Georgia and Alabama in Tucaloosa. The Harris campaign launched a new ad during the game that alerts Trump to the prospect of a second presidential debate. Harris has said she would; Trump has ruled it out.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has played Vance’s role in Walz’s debate prep sessions, which so far have taken place at a hotel in downtown Minneapolis, according to another person who also spoke on condition of anonymity.
Michigan is one of the key battleground states in November’s presidential election. While Harris has made several visits to Detroit since launching her campaign in July, Walz has focused his efforts on other parts of the state, including a recent visit to Grand Rapids, Michigan’s second-largest city.
“No one is winning this state right now,” Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell of Michigan told reporters just before Walz’s arrival Saturday. “We are a purple state. Donald Trump did not win this state and Kamala Harris did not win this state.”
Walz has continued to engage young voters in the campaign, including a recent visit to Michigan State University. In 2022, Michigan saw the highest youth turnout nationwide, as Democrats made historic gains in the state. Engaging similar voters could be crucial for Harris this year.
After the vice presidential debate, Walz and Harris will campaign together on a bus tour of central Pennsylvania.
