First Lady of Minnesota Gwen Walz visited Bangor on Sept. 13 to campaign for Kamala Harris and her husband Minnesota governor Tim Walz, who is Harris’ running mate. Walz traveled to New England to spread a message on behalf of the Democratic presidential candidacy and connect with the Maine community.
She began at the Briar Patch, a local bookstore owned by Gibran Graham, and read “Bathe the Cat” by Alice B. McGinty to a group of children. She spoke about her experience as a grade school teacher, who was also raised by educators. Walz engaged with the children and parents by asking questions, and used the moment to emphasize the importance of protecting the Department of Education.
Walz also delivered a speech at the Bangor Coordinated Campaign Office. The event, run by volunteers and regional employees, was open to supporting members of the public who RSVPed. Gov. Janet Mills introduced Walz to the audience.
“Gwen Walz knows the value of language, the power of words, the need to read books, to accept knowledge and rely on facts, not myth or speculation,” said Mills. “And we know that if the other team, the other side, is elected, it will be goodbye to the Department of Education, goodbye to our school budgets.”
Mills shared her connection to Harris throughout her time as Attorney General of Maine, as Harris had previously held that role in her home state of California concurrently with Mills. Mills praised Harris for her efforts “to defeat Big Pharma, to take on the big banks and to protect homeowners.” The Harris campaign has heavily focused on what they believe to be the concerns of regular citizens and highlights the Midwestern, middle-class upbringing of both Harris and Tim Walz.
Gwen Walz used her time onstage to empower those in attendance, whom she described as the “thoughtful and actionable Democrats” in this state. She also expressed that joy in politics is present in Maine and commended the state’s elected leaders.
“You are having real conversations and we are doing this one person at a time. One undecided neighbor at a time. Even one person with a lawn sign that we might not love, at a time. Every single thing you are doing, everything makes a difference. Do not underestimate that,” said Walz. “And you are the reason that we are going to send Vice President Harris and my husband, Tim Walz, to the white house.”
Walz also stated her opinion regarding the presidential debate held in Philadelphia on Sept. 10:
“Harris commanded that stage and she owned every issue, one after another. We saw a stark contrast there. I think that’s what was very clear. Her opponent just spewed that same old nonsense, and insults actually. And let’s just be real, lies.”
Walz spoke on the values that the two Democratic candidates were taught early on. Harris was raised by her mother, who immigrated from India and her father, who immigrated from Jamaica. Tim Walz grew up in Valentine, Nebraska, a rural town with a population of 400 residents. Gwen Walz referenced their childhoods to prove that their roots are similar to those who would benefit from what the Harris campaign has dubbed the “opportunity economy.”
The Harris-Walz campaign promises to lower the cost of healthcare, housing and groceries, and offer more opportunities to work well-paying jobs.
“We don’t mean just some people, we don’t mean only those who vote for us. We mean all of us, and that’s the vision the vice president shared on that debate stage. It could not have been clearer,” said Walz.
Walz referenced an outlook across the Harris-Walz campaign, formed to ensure continuous effort regardless of where the Democratic Party may stand throughout the next couple of months leading up to the election.
“Here is what we say: ‘We are running like we are underdogs, and we are 10 points down.’ We have to, right, because we are not taking one thing for granted in this race. Not one thing. in any race, for granted. I know we are going to win. I absolutely know it,” said Walz. “But I know that because we have you.”