Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz concluded their first week on the campaign trail together with a rally in Las Vegas on Saturday, aiming to rally Democratic support and win over undecided voters in key battleground states like Nevada. The rally marked the fifth event in five days for Harris and Walz, reflecting a renewed wave of enthusiasm and engagement among voters and organizers following President Joe Biden’s decision to step down from the presidential race due to concerns over his cognitive health and support for Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Harris Promises Support for Service Workers
During the rally, Harris pledged to eliminate taxes on tips, aligning her stance with that of her rival, Donald Trump, in a bid to gain the support of service workers, a crucial voter base in Nevada. “It is my promise to everyone here that when I am president, we will continue to fight for working families, including raising the minimum wage and eliminating taxes on tips for service and hospitality workers,” Harris declared.
Walz Clarifies Military Service Remarks
The Harris-Walz campaign faced scrutiny after a 2018 video of Walz discussing “weapons of war” resurfaced. In the video, Walz, a 24-year veteran of the Army National Guard who never served in a combat zone, spoke out against gun violence, leading some, including Republican vice-presidential nominee JD Vance, to question his military record. Campaign spokesperson Lauren Hitt clarified that Walz “misspoke” and emphasized that he handled weapons of war during his service but never intended to mislead the public about his experience.
Record Turnout and Key Endorsements
Harris and Walz’s campaign tour through swing states like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Arizona has garnered significant support, including a record turnout of 15,000 attendees at a Glendale, Arizona rally. Additionally, they received endorsements from influential groups like the Culinary Union in Nevada and the historically neutral League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), signaling growing momentum for their campaign.
As the Harris-Walz ticket continues to gain traction, analysts at the Cook Political Report have shifted their outlook on key states, now categorizing Arizona, Nevada, and Georgia as “toss-ups” rather than leaning Republican. Harris’s focus on immigration, abortion rights, and tribal sovereignty during her speeches aims to secure the diverse coalition of voters that propelled Democrats to victory in 2020.
