ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Spirits were high despite the rain as vice president hopeful Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota joined a crowd of lively supporters on Tuesday at Salvage Station in Asheville.
As election season ramps up, Gov. Walz made a stop on the campaign trail in Asheville after speaking earlier in the day in Georgia.
An eager crowd began forming at Salvage Station, an outdoor venue holding up to 2,500 guests, at 3 p.m. in anticipation of the address.
Multiple vendors were present at the rally, selling a variety of foods and beverages, from tamales to craft beer. A memorabilia stand sold hundreds of white and blue Harris-Walz tee shirts to supporters.
The event had little public notice before Tuesday. “I didn’t know this was going to happen because it was so hush-hush,” said Jamie Davis, an employee of the “number two pizza truck in Asheville,” Tin Can Pizzeria, a vendor at the rally.
Walz’ visit came during a new wave of enthusiasm for Democratic voters since President Joe Biden abdicated his party’s nomination in July.
Virginia Tegel, a Democratic Party volunteer in Henderson County, stated, “We’ve seen a huge bump in volunteers” in the last several months.
Tegel voiced a common sentiment among the crowd. “It’s so important to get people to save democracy… We’re gonna give [Harris] North Carolina.”
Another common audience desire was vocalized by Robin Bubonic, who stated she came “hoping to hear more about [Harris and Walz] policies.”
Like Bubonic, Marsha King wanted to hear from Walz about specific policies. “I want to know more about the economy,” said King, who also wanted answers for immigration and the price gouging.
Walz was preceded on stage by a host of local politicians and Democratic Party organizers.
Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer gave the first words to the crowd, telling them, “We have come together with a vision for our country.”
“Reproduction is on the ballot,” Manheimer exclaimed to the delight of the audience, “the economy is on the ballot, and our very democracy is on the ballot!”
Manheimer was followed by speeches from N.C. State Congresswoman Lindsay Prather, former N.C. Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr, Asheville Vice Mayor Sandra Kilgore, N.C. Democratic Party organizer Meredith Anderson and UNCA freshman Stephen Wang.
Justice Orr denounced his former affiliation with the Republican Party, stating, “That party is not the party I was a part of anymore.”
Walz walked on stage at around 6:30 p.m. to raucous applause from attendees. His first words were, “O.K. Asheville, you win. My team said this was the best rally we’ve seen.”
Early in his speech, around a half-dozen pro-Palestinian protestors attempted unsuccessfully to get the crowd to chant “cease fire now.” Their opposition comes as Harris has reiterated President Biden’s support to Israel in the ongoing war.
At several points in his speech, Walz praised N.C. Governor Roy Cooper for his “thoughtful, kind and reflective” leadership. Walz also voiced his support of N.C. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein.
Conversely, Walz made a point of insulting N.C. Republican gubernatorial hopeful Mark Robinson, saying, “If you searched those 330 million [Americans], you could not find a worse candidate than Robinson.”
Much of Walz’ message to his supporters involved stories and lessons taken from his time working in the Minnesota Public Schools system as a teacher and coach.
Walz also cited multiple idioms he claimed were native to his home state, such as “when we all do better, we all do better,” “you can compromise without compromising your values” and “mind your own damn business.”
Walz spent much breath on attacking former President Donald Trump for tax cuts and “ram[ing] through three [Supreme Court] judges.” About his debate performance against Harris, Walz demeaned Trump, calling him a “nearly 80-year-old man shouting at clouds.”
After attacking Trump’s record of infrastructure, Walz called for the implementation of high-speed broadband across North Carolina.
“Donald Trump has no plan for you,” Walz expressed. “Kamala Harris… wants an opportunity economy.”
In the middle of his speech, Walz stopped to look at a flock of geese passing overhead in a V-shape formation, commenting on the beauty of the moment.
Throughout the speech, Walz reiterated each of the major talking points of Harris’ campaign, including expanding access to abortions, increasing gun control, revitalizing the economy and saving democracy. He did not offer specific policy proposals.
The vice president hopeful’s last words on former President Donald Trump were, “This damn TV show has been on too long. Let’s cancel it.”
Walz concluded the event, stating, “We can chart a new way forward… What a privileged to fight for democracy.”