Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential candidate, was met with applause and cheers at the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 13 Union Hall on Thursday where he made the case for the Harris-Walz ticket just days before the election.
Addressing union members and local Democrats, Walz touted achievements in labor relations and job creation, pointing to Vice President Kamala Harris’s role in spearheading the White House’s Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment.
As part of what Democrats have said is the most pro-union administration in history, Harris helped create millions of good-paying jobs and has been an ally in the fight for fair wages, Walz stated.
The governor didn’t hold back in contrasting his ticket’s policies with those of former President Donald Trump and his running mate, U.S. Senator JD Vance.
Walz labeled the Trump agenda as “anti-worker” and detrimental to union interests. He criticized the Project 2025 agenda, which he claimed would raise taxes on working families by nearly $4,000, threaten overtime pay for many workers, and rollback workplace safety protections.
Walz said a Harris-Walz administration would support manufacturing jobs in the U.S.
“They know nothing about manufacturing,” he said. “The only thing they know how to manufacture is bullshit.”
The candidate reinforced the Democratic campaign’s stance on various freedoms, including a woman’s right to choose, support for IVF treatments, opposition to book bans, and a balanced approach to the Second Amendment that ensures safety in schools and communities.
Walz, an Army National Guard veteran and former teacher, expressed his patriotism and love for the American flag.
“I’ll be damned if I’d fly an American flag with some man’s picture pasted on it,” he said, alluding to flags with Trump’s face printed on them.
The event was attended by local and state Democratic officials, including Bucks County commissioners Bob Harvie and Diane Ellis-Marseglia, Congresswoman Madeleine Dean, and state representatives Tina Davis, Jim Prokopiak, and Perry Warren.
Harvie noted that he and Walz are both former teachers and believe in supporting the middle class, like those in Levittown.
In her comments to the largely union crowd, Ellis-Marseglia said Trump has continually insulted union members and people in the trades over the years.
“He has been notorious for not paying people, paying people late,” she said.
Santarsiero encouraged the audience to watch less MSNBC and worry less about the polls, but instead, get outside and encourage friends and neighbors to vote for Harris and Walz.
“I want you to make a difference in this election,” he said.
In her appeal to voters, Davis said Harris and President Joe Biden have invested in the community and that has helped small businesses like the trucking company her husband owns. She added that she knows what it’s like when finances are tight and Harris and Walz have plans to help Americans.
Brad Mickatavage, the business manager and secretary treasurer of Boilermakers Local 13, welcomed Walz to Bristol Township and introduced him to the union members.
About 200 people packed the union hall to hear Walz and many were outside to cheer and wave as his motorcade passed by.
Several Trump supporters stood along the street and waved Trump signs and flags at the Democratic candidate.
Following the event, Walz made an unannounced visit to the Bharatiya Temple in Montgomery Township, Montgomery County, to celebrate Diwali.
At the temple, he highlighted a Harris-Walz administration’s commitment to the South Asian American community. Harris is both Black and South Asian American.
Walz greeted temple members and Montgomery County Democratic officials before lighting a diya and receiving a blessing. First Congressional District Democratic candidate Ashley Ehasz was in attendance.
He then continued to Erie for another campaign stop.
Kush Desai, a Trump campaign spokesperson, criticized the Harris-Walz ticket would be a continuation of the Biden administration’s policies, predicting the Democrats defeat in the upcoming election.
This first Bucks County campaign stop for Walz follows recent visits by both Harris and Trump, with Pennsylvania playing a critical role as a key battleground state in the election.
After the event, Walz traveled through Lower Bucks County to Trenton-Mercer Airport and took a flight to a campaign event in Erie.
Walz flew in late Wednesday night and stayed at a hotel in Montgomery County, according to a campaign official.
Kush Desai, a Trump campaign spokesperson for Pennsylvania, said that Walz and Harris will fail if elected and the country will reelect Trump next week.
The visit was the first campaign stop in Bucks County for Walz and follows recent stops by Harris, former President Donald Trump, and Trump’s running mate U.S. Sen. JD Vance.
Pennsylvania is seen as a key state for both the Harris and Trump campaigns to win.
Bucks County was won by Democrats in 2016 and 2020, but Republicans believe there is a chance that Trump could win the county.
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